‘And you, you think differently?’ I asked. ‘You would marry this frog-man for the sake of his Tsarship?’
‘Bah! it is the name Tsaritsa one marries, and the clothes, and the beautiful jewels, and the power. What matter whether this man or that calls himself your husband?’
‘Have you, then, seen him, that you speak so boldly?’
‘Not I! He cannot be more loathsome than my father has represented him: whatever he may be I shall surely be agreeably surprised, for verily my good parent, in his anxiety on my account, has drawn the sorriest picture of a prince that fancy could devise. Is he indeed so bad? Can he speak—can he be understood—can he stand upon his own feet—can he wear a Tsar’s clothes and sit upon a Tsar’s chair?’
‘Oh, he can do that much,’ I laughed. ‘He is an invalid, and has fits, but his brother Peter likes him well enough, and they talk and laugh together. To speak truthfully, I fear he would make a sorry husband, though his wife would have as much right to call herself Tsaritsa as the wife of the handsomest prince that ever drew breath.’
‘Well, that is all that matters. Come, what meant you that my admission to the terem could be arranged? Did you mean anything? Who are you? A Cossack, I see; that much is in your favour.’
‘Why?’ I laughed.
‘They are independent and the slaves of no man: I suppose that is what I like in the Cossacks. If I were a man I would rather be Cossack than Russian. But come, what about the terem—who are you that you say you can get admission for me?’
‘Your face would open every door——’ I began, but she stamped her foot. ‘Bah!’ she cried. ‘Enough fooling. I suppose, then, you meant nothing; it is a pity you spoke as you did.’
‘I was going to say,’ I continued, looking at her with approval—for, indeed, she appeared very beautiful in her indignation and impatience—‘that though you would be admitted even if you presented yourself with no introduction save your own good looks, I think I can have you sent to the terem under the best of introductions—if you please to approve the suggestion: namely, that of the Tsar’s brother and joint-Tsar, Peter, who is amiable enough to be my very good friend!’