(Enter Michael Stroganoff.)
Pres.[8] Michael, the regicide! Brothers, let us do honour to a man who has killed a king.
[9]Vera (aside). Oh, he will come yet.[9]
Pres. Michael, you have saved Russia.
Mich. Ay, Russia was free for a moment [10]when the tyrant fell, but the sun of liberty has set again like that false dawn which cheats our eyes in autumn.
Pres. The dread night of tyranny is not yet past for Russia.
Mich. (clutching his knife).[10] One more blow, and the end is come indeed.
Vera (aside). One more blow! What does he mean? Oh, impossible! but why is he not with us? Alexis! Alexis! why are you not here?
Pres. But how did you escape, Michael? They said you had been seized.
Mich. I was dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard. The Colonel on duty was a brother, and gave me the password. I drove through the troops in safety with it, and, thanks to my good horse, reached the walls before the gates were closed.