"I mean no offence. I wish to know if there are in Poland many Israelites who are polished and educated."
"There are many better educated and more polished than I."
"Then so much the better. You can exercise a happy influence over the people in curing them of their patriotism without a future, and of their superannuated Catholicism. Eliminate the feudal spirit and that of the nobility, and with these new conditions will come the fusion between Russia and Poland."
"The Jews who are preserved, thanks to their religious faith, cannot employ themselves by tearing out the hearts of others."
"I have, then, the pleasure of talking with a revolutionist."
"Not at all. Though there are circumstances when men who were most opposed to revolution have taken part in them, in spite of themselves."
"Pardon me," said Sofronof, interrupting him. "The truth is that Poland will never be satisfied. Give her autonomy. She would soon demand the annexation of the provinces included in Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Give them all that, and they would claim the ports on the Baltic and on the Black sea."
"One thing certain," replied Jacob, "is that Russia never yet has tried to satisfy Poland in any way."
"And Alexander I.?" asked Bavorof.
"Alexander I. promised much and performed little, and that little he has taken back again by the hand of his brother, the Tsarevitch Constantine."