And be sure we shall not forget the brave officers
that have brought you safely to our distant shores,
nor the distinguished scholar who guards your ex-
cellency's health." He turned to Langsdorff and
repeated himself in Latin. The naturalist, whose
sharp nose was always lifted as if in protest against
oversight and ready to pounce upon and penetrate
the least of mysteries, bowed with his hand on his
heart, and translated for the benefit of the officers.

"Humph!" said Davidov in Russian. "Much the
Chamberlain will care for the prayers of the Cath-
olic Church if he has to go home with his cargo.
But he has a fine opportunity here for the display
of his diplomatic talents. I fancy they will avail him
more than they did at Nagasaki--where I am told
he swore more than once when he should have kow-
towed and grinned."

"I shouldn't like to see him grin," replied Khos-
tov, as they finally started for the outbuildings. "If
he could go as far as that he would be the most
terrible man living. Were it not for the fire in him
that melts the iron just so often he would be crafty
and cruel instead of subtle and firm. He is a for-
tunate man! There were many fairies at his cradle!
I have always envied him, and now he is going to
win that beautiful Dona Concha. She will look at
none of us."