Strona 179 z 3800

Then with the unerring official memory that characterized him he

repeated from the opening words of the manifesto:

... and the wish, which constitutes the Emperor's sole and

absolute aim-to establish peace in Europe on firm foundations-has

now decided him to despatch part of the army abroad and to create

a new condition for the attainment of that purpose.

"Zat, my dear sir, is vy..." he concluded, drinking a tumbler of

wine with dignity and looking to the count for approval.

"Connaissez-vous le Proverbe:* 'Jerome, Jerome, do not roam, but

turn spindles at home!'?" said Shinshin, puckering his brows and

smiling. "Cela nous convient a merveille.*(2) Suvorov now-he knew

what he was about; yet they beat him a plate couture,*(3) and

where are we to find Suvorovs now? Je vous demande un peu," *(4)

said he, continually changing from French to Russian.

*Do you know the proverb?

*(2) That suits us down to the ground.

*(3) Hollow.

*(4) I just ask you that.