"Who is it?" says I to the old gentleman. "Catacazy," says he. "Cat--what?" says I, categorically. "Catacazy, the Russian Minister," says he. "Minister," says I; "do they mean to get up a prayer-meeting on board?" The old gentleman simmered down the laugh that was on his lips into a smile, and said he thought not. This pacified me, and I sat still while we went down through the upper bay, which seemed wrapped in waterproofs too, and into the lower bay, which heaved and rolled as if it was half-choked up with sweltering wet blankets. Then we came in sight of the ships, and saw the flags a-battling with the storm; but no one on board seemed to care a continental cent whether New York sent out her _crême on crême_ or not. This silence made my heart sink. Then the minister went to the side of the vessel, leaned over, and swung his hat. By and by a boat came from the great Grand Duke's vessel, in which an imperial-looking man stood upright, like a high-born monarch, and lifted his cap as if it had been a crown. "It is--it is--oh, yes, it is the Duke!" This was on every lip but mine. I could not speak; exquisite emotion forbade it. No one came on board; but the minister with that catish name got into the boat, and then some of the committee, which skimmed itself again, and thickened up its cream considerably. There we waited and waited. They came back at last. That young gentleman was not the great Grand Duke. He wasn't coming till next day. Oh, how we wilted! Some of us almost burst out a-crying. I did not speak; I could not. Ever since we reached the lower bay, I had felt dreadfully discouraged; now a strange sinking of the heart seized upon me--a faint dizziness, an agony of disappointment seemed raging in my stomach. Oh, my sisters! these exquisite sensibilities are a proof of greatness, I know, but the sufferings they bring, no human being but the creature of genius can tell. I am better. The glorious sight which followed that stormy day has relieved me. I have seen ten thousand flags blazing along Broadway--I have seen three times ten thousand republican worshippers waving their hats and handkerchiefs in acclamations for the son of an imperial despot. I have heard the glorious music of an imperial serenade--I have seen HIM. XI. THE GRAND DUKE. Sisters:--I have seen him. This hand has been pressed--significantly pressed--by the soft, rosy palm of imperial royalty. If a tablet to my memory should ever be sunk in the walls of our meeting-house, I charge you, dear sisters in the cause, to have this honor cut in Roman capitals deep into the marble; for what is an exaltation to me is glory to the Society, and, in fact, to all Vermont.