The Princes of Russia had long been observant pupils, first at Constantinople, and later at the feet of the Khans.

They could meet cruelty with cruelty, cunning with cunning.

But it was the Princes of Moscow who proved themselves masters in these Oriental arts.

Their cunning was not of the vulgar sort which works for ends that are near; it was the cunning which could wait, could patiently cringe and feign loyalty and devotion, with the steady purpose of tearing in pieces.
Added to this, they had the intelligence to divine the secret of power.
Certain ends they kept steadily in view.

The old law of succession to eldest collateral heir they set aside from the outset; the principality being invariably divided among the sons of the deceased Prince.