No position is impossible in this country--except the Czar's--if one only keeps cool.

For men such as you and I any position is quite easy.

But these Russians are too romantic--too exaltes--they give way to a morbid love of martyrdom: they think they can do no good to mankind unless they are uncomfortable." Alexis turned in his saddle and looked keenly into his companion's face.
"Do you know," he said, "I believe you founded the Charity League ?" Steinmetz laughed in his easy, stout way.
"It founded itself," he said; "the angels founded it in heaven.

I hope a committee of them will attend to the eternal misery of the dog who betrayed it." "I trust they will, but in the meantime I stick to my opinion that it is unnecessary for me to leave the country.

What have I done?
I do not belong to the League; it is composed entirely of Russian nobles; I don't admit that I am a Russian noble." "But," persisted Steinmetz quietly, "you subscribe to the League.