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Michael Strogoff
by Jules Verne
or
The Courier of the Czar
Michael Strogoff
BOOK I
CHAPTER I A FETE AT THE NEW PALACE
〃SIRE； a fresh dispatch。〃
〃Whence？〃
〃From Tomsk？〃
〃Is the wire cut beyond that city？〃
〃Yes； sire； since yesterday。〃
〃Telegraph hourly to Tomsk； General； and keep me informed
of all that occurs。〃
〃Sire； it shall be done；〃 answered General Kissoff。
These words were exchanged about two hours after midnight；
at the moment when the fete given at the New Palace was at
the height of its splendor。
During the whole evening the bands of the Preobra…jensky and Paulowsky
regiments had played without cessation polkas； mazurkas； schottisches；
and waltzes from among the choicest of their repertoires。
Innumerable couples of dancers whirled through the magnificent saloons
of the palace； which stood at a few paces only from the 〃old house
of stones〃in former days the scene of so many terrible dramas；
the echoes of whose walls were this night awakened by the gay strains
of the musicians。
The grand…chamberlain of the court； was； besides； well seconded
in his arduous and delicate duties。 The grand…dukes and their
aides…de…camp； the chamberlains…in…waiting and other officers of
the palace； presided personally in the arrangement of the dances。
The grand duchesses； covered with diamonds； the ladies…in…waiting
in their most exquisite costumes； set the example to the wives
of the military and civil dignitaries of the ancient 〃city
of white stone。〃 When； therefore； the signal for the 〃polonaise〃
resounded through the saloons； and the guests of all ranks took
part in that measured promenade； which on occasions of this kind
has all the importance of a national dance； the mingled costumes；
the sweeping robes adorned with lace； and uniforms covered with orders；
presented a scene of dazzling splendor； lighted by hundreds of lusters
multiplied tenfold by the numerous mirrors adorning the walls。
The grand saloon； the finest of all those contained in the New Palace；
formed to this procession of exalted personages and splendidly
dressed women a frame worthy of the magnificence they displayed。
The rich ceiling； with its gilding already softened by the touch
of time； appeared as if glittering with stars。 The embroidered
drapery of the curtains and doors； falling in gorgeous folds；
assumed rich and varied hues； broken by the shadows of the heavy
masses of damask。
Through the panes of the vast semicircular bay…windows
the light； with which the saloons were filled； shone forth
with the brilliancy of a conflagration； vividly illuminating
the gloom in which for some hours the palace had been shrouded。
The attention of those of the guests not taking
part in the dancing was attracted by the contrast。
Resting in the recesses of the windows； they could discern；
standing out dimly in the darkness； the vague outlines of the
countless towers； domes； and spires which adorn the ancient city。
Below the sculptured balconies were visible numerous sentries；
pacing silently up and down； their rifles carried horizontally
on the shoulder； and the spikes of their helmets glittering
like flames in the glare of light issuing from the palace。
The steps also of the patrols could be heard beating
time on the stones beneath with even more regularity
than the feet of the dancers on the floor of the saloon。
From time to time the watchword was repeated from post to post；
and occasionally the notes of a trumpet； mingling with
the strains of the orchestra； penetrated into their midst。
Still farther down； in front of the facade； dark masses
obscured the rays of light which proceeded from the windows
of the New Palace。 These were boats descending the course
of a river； whose waters； faintly illumined by a few lamps；
washed the lower portion of the terraces。
The principal personage who has been mentioned； the giver of the fete；
and to whom General Kissoff had been speaking in that tone
of respect with which sovereigns alone are usually addressed；
wore the simple uniform of an officer of chasseurs of the guard。
This was not affectation on his part； but the custom of a man
who cared little for dress； his contrasting strongly with the
gorgeous costumes amid which he moved； encircled by his escort
of Georgians； Cossacks； and Circassiansa brilliant band；
splendidly clad in the glittering uniforms of the Caucasus。
This personage； of lofty stature； affable demeanor；
and physiognomy calm； though bearing traces of anxiety；
moved from group to group； seldom speaking； and appearing to pay
but little attention either to the merriment of the younger guests
or the graver remarks of the exalted dignitaries or members
of the diplomatic corps who represented at the Russian court
the principal governments of Europe。 Two or three of these
astute politiciansphysiognomists by virtue of their profession
failed not to detect on the countenance of their host symptoms
of disquietude； the source of which eluded their penetration；
but none ventured to interrogate him on the subject。
It was evidently the intention of the officer of chasseurs that his
own anxieties should in no way cast a shade over the festivities；
and； as he was a personage whom almost the population of a world
in itself was wont to obey； the gayety of the ball was not for
a moment checked。
Nevertheless； General Kissoff waited until the officer to whom
he had just communicated the dispatch forwarded from Tomsk should give
him permission to withdraw； but the latter still remained silent。
He had taken the telegram； he had read it carefully；
and his visage became even more clouded than before。
Involuntarily he sought the hilt of his sword； and then
passed his hand for an instant before his eyes； as though；
dazzled by the brilliancy of the light； he wished to shade them；
the better to see into the recesses of his own mind。
〃We are； then；〃 he continued； after having drawn General Kissoff
aside towards a window； 〃since yesterday without intelligence
from the Grand Duke？〃
〃Without any； sire； and it is to be feared that in a short time
dispatches will no longer cross the Siberian frontier。〃
〃But have not the troops of the provinces of Amoor and Irkutsk；
as those also of the Trans…Balkan territory； received orders
to march immediately upon Irkutsk？〃
〃The orders were transmitted by the last telegram we were able
to send beyond Lake Baikal。〃
〃And the governments of Yeniseisk； Omsk； Semipolatinsk；
and Tobolskare we still in direct communication with them
as before the insurrection？〃
〃Yes； sire； our dispatches have reached them； and we are assured
at the present moment that the Tartars have not advanced beyond
the Irtish and the Obi。〃
〃And the traitor Ivan Ogareff； are there no tidings of him？〃
〃None；〃 replied General Kissoff。 〃The head of the police cannot
state whether or not he has crossed the frontier。〃
〃Let a description of him be immediately dispatched to
Nijni…Novgorod； Perm； Ekaterenburg； Kasirnov； Tioumen； Ishim； Omsk； Tomsk；
and to all the telegraphic stations with which communication
is yet open。〃
〃Your majesty's orders shall be instantly carried out。〃
〃You will observe the strictest silence as to this。〃
The General； having made a sign of respectful assent； bowing low；
mingled with the crowd； and finally left the apartments without
his departure being remarked。
The officer remained absorbed in thought for a few moments； when；
recovering himself； he went among the various groups in the saloon；
his countenance reassuming that calm aspect which had for an
instant been disturbed。
Nevertheless； the important occurrence which had occasioned
these rapidly exchanged words was not so unknown as the officer
of the chasseurs of the guard and General Kissoff had
possibly supposed。 It was not spoken of officially； it is true；
nor even officiously； since tongues were not free； but a few
exalted personages had been informed； more or less exactly；
of the events which had taken place beyond the frontier。
At any rate； that which was only slightly known； that which was not
matter of conversation even between members of the corps diplomatiq