a sentinel's box with a pocket-mirror in his hand. I thank him from my
soul for not cultivating the national cat's whisker. None can imagine
what I suffer from the oppressive sight of his Monsieur Peterbooroo'!
And they are of one pattern--the entire nation! He! no, he has the step
of a trained blood-horse. Only, as Kaunitz, or somebody, said of Joseph
II., or somebody, he thinks or he chews. Englishmen's mouths were
clearly not made for more purposes than one. In truth, I am so utterly
wearied, I could pray for the diversion of a descent of rain. The life
here is as bad as in Rippau. I might just as well be in Rippau doing
duty: the silly people complain, I hear. I am gathering dust. These,
my dear, these are the experiences which age women at a prodigious rate.
I feel chains on my limbs here.'

'Madame, I would,' said I, 'that I were the Perseus to relieve you of
your monster Ennui, but he is coming quickly.'

'You see he has his pretty phrases!' cried the margravine; adding
encouragingly, 'S'il nest pas tant sort peu impertinent?'

The advance of some German or Russian nobleman spared me further efforts.

We were on shore, listening to the band in the afternoon, when a sail
like a spark of pure white stood on the purple black edge of a storm-
cloud. It was the yacht. By sunset it was moored off shore, and at
night hung with variegated lamps. Early next morning we went on board.
The ladies were astonished at the extent of the vessel, and its luxurious
fittings and cunning arrangements. My father, in fact, had negotiated
for the hire of the yacht some weeks previously, with his accustomed
forethought.