To this singular question the artist made reply:
"And pray what may be your business down there?"
"I have no 'business,' but am Vasul Sujukin Sergievitch, Counsellor of Enlightenment to his Majesty." Such was the Censor's title.
"A jolly good thing you have come. There is precious little light in this city with its confounded fogs."
"Learn, sir, that this is no 'confounded' fog. A St. Petersburg fog is purer than that of any other city. We allow no complaints of our skies. But, look! who is that woman up there in the picture, standing close to the Czar, with leg bared to the knee?"
"It is Fame, the goddess of novelty."
"But what indecency for any one to stand in proximity to the Czar in such a costume!"
"Ha, my friend, in the period of Roman-Greek mythology stockings were not in fashion."
"But we are in Russia, where ladies who have been presented do not go about barefoot. I forbid you to bring women in such negligée in contact with the person of the Czar!"
"All right! I will give her sandals."