When I compare my gross pleasures and solitary reveries to the conversation I have just had with that young, beautiful, and intelligent woman, to such an exchanging of pleasant and clever thoughts, to the necessity of disguising whatever would be a shock to refined feelings; when I compare my indolent life of a satrap, who gives orders and is obeyed, to the charming necessity of pleasing, to that choice language and manner that a woman like Madame de Fersen imposes on you, even though you are but a mere acquaintance. When I compare the present with the past, I am astonished that I could have lived so long in such a way. I have, however, lived for eighteen happy months at Khios. If the future shows itself under a more seductive form, I must not condemn the happy days that I may live to regret. I am terribly perplexed. What shall I do? If I remain here regretfully, if my future life in Khios becomes wearisome, it were better to leave the island at once. M. de Fersen has kindly invited me to go with him back to France. I know not what to do. I must wait; besides, Du Pluvier is to breakfast with me to-morrow. I will make him talk about Madame de Fersen. CHAPTER XI THE DEPARTURE ON BOARD THE FRIGATE ALEXINA. October, 18--. It is all over. I have left the island. Yesterday morning Du Pluvier came to breakfast with me. He seemed singularly preoccupied. "My friend," said he, "you live here the life of a veritable pasha,--a sybarite, a true odalisk. On my word of honour, it is charming; neither I nor the princess can understand it." "How so?" "_Parbleu!_ She and the prince make wild suppositions as to the reasons which prompted you to lead such a life. The princess particularly seems puzzled; but as I know nothing, I can tell her nothing." "My dear Du Pluvier, tell me, have you seen much of M. and Madame de Fersen during your sojourn in Constantinople?" "Very often, nearly every day; the Russian embassy was one of the most agreeable houses of the Christian quarter. Little comedies were given there twice a week, and my duties prevented my skipping a single rehearsal." "Your duties?" "Yes, I was under-prompter,--our first secretary was naturally prompter-in-chief." "Oh, without doubt. But what was said of Madame de Fersen at Constantinople?" "A proud woman,--a second Joan d'Arc. She ruled the embassy with a rod of steel,--she did everything. They say she even carried on a direct correspondence with the Czar, and during that time the excellent prince was acting one of Potier's rôles. In such a capacity he is perfection personified! I have seen him act 'Les Frères Féroces,' and thought I should die with laughter!" "And did Madame de Fersen also act?" "Not a bit of it; she had other things to do, _ma foi!_ Believe me or not, just as you wish, but I have never heard a single evil word said against her." "No doubt she was entirely taken up with politics?"