"But you will remember, Mr. Howel," Eve interposed, "that we have _seen_ the Emperor Nicholas." "I dare say, Miss Eve, that your gentle nature was disposed to judge him as kindly as possible; and, then, I think most Americans, ever since the treaty of Ghent, have been disposed to view all Russians too favourably. No, no; I am satisfied with the account of the English; they live much nearer to St. Petersburg than we do, and they are more accustomed, too, to give accounts of such matters." "But living nearer, Tom Howel," cried Mr. Effingham, with unusual animation, "in such a case, is of no avail, unless one lives near enough to see with his own eyes." "Well--well--my good friend, we will talk of this another time. I know your disposition to look at every body with lenient eyes. I will now wish you all a good morning, and hope soon to see you again. Miss Eve, I have one word to say, if you dare trust yourself with a youth of fifty, for a minute, in the library." Eve rose cheerfully, and led the way to the room her father's visiter had named. When within it, Mr. Howel shut the door carefully, and then with a sort of eager delight, he exclaimed-- "For heaven's sake, my dear young lady, tell me who are these two strange gentlemen in the other room." "Precisely the persons my father mentioned, Mr. Howel; Mr. Paul Powis, and Sir George Templemore." "Englishmen, of course!" "Sir George Templemore is, of course, as you say, but we may boast of Mr. Powis as a countryman." "Sir George Templemore!--What a superb-looking young fellow!" "Why, yes," returned Eve, laughing; "he, at least, you will admit is a handsome man." "He is wonderful!--The other, Mr.--a--a--a--I forget what you called him--he is pretty well too; but this Sir George is a princely youth." "I rather think a majority of observers would give the preference to the appearance of Mr. Powis," said Eve, struggling to be steady, but permitting a blush to heighten her colour, in despite of the effort. "What could have induced him to come up among these mountains--an English baronet!" resumed Mr. Howel, without thinking of Eve's confusion. "Is he a real lord?" "Only a little one, Mr. Howel. You heard what my father said of our having been fellow-travellers." "But what _does_ he think of us. I am dying to know what such a man _really_ thinks of us?" "It is not always easy to discover what such men _really_ think; although I am inclined to believe that he is disposed to think rather favourably of some of us." "Ay, of you, and your father, and Mr. John. You have travelled, and are more than half European; but what _can_ he think of those who have never left America?" "Even of some of those," returned Eve, smiling, "I suspect he thinks partially." "Well, I am glad of that. Do you happen to know his opinion of the Emperor Nicholas?" "Indeed. I do not remember to have heard him mention the Emperor's name; nor do I think he has ever seen him."