She also had her circle every evening, and always asked the company to stay supper.

One evening, when I was of her party, a confidential Equerry of the Czar came in, and whispered me That I had been searched for all over Town, to come to supper at the COUNTESS'S (that was the usual designation of the Sultana,"-- DAS FRAULEIN, spelt in Russian ways, is the more usual).
"I begged to be excused for this time, being engaged to sup with the Czarina, to whom I could not well state the reason for which I was to leave.

The Equerry had not gone long, when suddenly a great noise was heard, the two wings of the door were flung open, and the Czar entered.
He saluted politely the Czarina and her circle; called me with that smiling and gracious air which he always had; took me by the arm, and said to the Czarina: 'Excuse me, Madam, if to-night I carry off one of your guests; it is this Prussian I had searched for all over the Town.' The Czarina laughed; I made her a deep bow, and went away with my conductor.

Next morning I went to the Czarina; who, without mentioning what had passed last night, said smiling, 'Come and sup with me always when there is nothing to prevent it.'" FEBRUARY 21st, HORDT AT ZARSKOE-ZELOE.

"On occasion of the Czar's birthday [which gives us a date, for once], [Michaelis, ii.