"The soldiers approached to obey his orders, and the desperate colonel had levelled his weapons, when Olinska, sprang from the chaise and knelt upon the ground before him.
"'Submit, Nicholas; for my sake submit,' she exclaimed, energetically, clasping her hands towards him.
"Nicholas regarded her attentively for a moment, and then lowered his weapons.
"'I am your prisoner,' he said; 'take me where you will.'
"The captured pair, were returned to the vehicle, the horses' heads were turned, and in silence they proceeded to the palace of the Czar.
"The imperial mansion was very different in those days from what it now is. No gaudy trappings, neither external nor internal, proclaimed the abode of royalty; for Peter the Great appealed to hearts, not the eyes of his subjects, and for the inspection of foreigners he had an army, unrivaled in discipline and accoutrements, by any in Europe. A small ante-chamber, plainly furnished, and adorned with various models of ships, paintings, and rude implements of warfare led into the hall of audience, equally unostentatious, and the imperial dining saloon, plain as that of an ordinary tradesman.
"Into the latter apartment, Nicholas and Olinska were led by their captors, pale and silent, but undismayed.
"A long table, bearing on its centre an immense pie, was loaded with a rich repast; and about it, were seated the most distinguished nobles and generals of the empire, and Admiral Praxin; while at its head, on elevated seats, appeared the Czar and Czarina.
"'Ha! here are the two fugitives!' exclaimed Peter, observing the entrance of the party and approaching them.