To another was given the proud place of secret spy over the higher circles of Wilna, while my duty was to watch Jitomir and Kiev.

Troubetskoi was a bold gallant fellow, an ardent Muscovite, and had secretly returned from a long sojourn in Paris.

He was in close touch with the Governors of Volhynia, Kiev, and Podolia, and we feared his sword within, his Parisian connections without.

An evil star brought me into his household as his guest.

For nearly a year I was kept vibrating between the points of danger to us, my personal headquarters being at the Chateau of Jitomir.