Prince Mentchikoff entered from the hall where he had been waiting behind the open door.
“Has he gone?” he whispered.
“Into the garden,” said Marpha.
“What do you think of him?” asked Mentchikoff eagerly.
“He is comely,” replied the girl.
Mentchikoff laughed.
“He is the greatest man in the world.”
“Ah, yes, the Czar of All the Russias.”
“Not that only—he is a hero and a genius,” said Mentchikoff, with passionate enthusiasm. “He is creating a new Russia.”
“I understand none of these things,” replied Marpha. “The world seems to me very well as it is—but I like Peter Alexievitch.”