The temperature shown by the political thermometer to the company that evening was this: "Whatever the European sovereigns and commanders may do to countenance Bonaparte, and to cause me, and us in general, annoyance and mortification, our opinion of Bonaparte cannot alter.

We shall not cease to express our sincere views on that subject, and can only say to the King of Prussia and others: 'So much the worse for you.

Tu l'as voulu, George Dandin,' that's all we have to say about it!" When Boris, who was to be served up to the guests, entered the drawing room, almost all the company had assembled, and the conversation, guided by Anna Pavlovna, was about our diplomatic relations with Austria and the hope of an alliance with her.