course of the dinner one of them would jump up from his chair, and
run round to embrace the other. They would throw their arms about
one another, kissing one another on both cheeks, and then sit down
again, with moist eyes. Their behaviour among their fellow
countrymen excited no astonishment whatever.

But the Russians's anger is as quick and vehement as his love. On
another occasion I was supping with friends in one of the chief
restaurants on the Nevsky. Two gentlemen at an adjoining table, who
up till the previous moment had been engaged in amicable
conversation, suddenly sprang to their feet, and "went for" one
another. One man secured the water-bottle, which he promptly broke
over the other's head. His opponent chose for his weapon a heavy
mahogany chair, and leaping back for the purpose of securing a good
swing, lurched against my hostess.

"Do please be careful," said the lady.

"A thousand pardons, madame," returned the stranger, from whom blood
and water were streaming in equal copiousness; and taking the utmost
care to avoid interfering with our comfort, he succeeded adroitly in
flooring his antagonist by a well-directed blow.

A policeman appeared upon the scene. He did not attempt to
interfere, but running out into the street communicated the glad
tidings to another policeman.

"This is going to cost them a pretty penny," observed my host, who
was calmly continuing his supper; "why couldn't they wait?"