It has been the constant aim of the Imperial Court to draw within its focus the noblesse from all quarters of the Empire, with a view to keep them more entirely under the eye of government, tempting them with ribbons, stars, and titles. However well the plan has succeeded with the poorer nobles and many indeed of the more powerful, attracted by the pomp and magnificence of St. Petersburg, no lures have been found to decoy others equally rich and influential, who prefer the independence and freedom they enjoy in their palaces at Moscow, and country-seats, to the formality and tedious etiquette of the court. The Czar, therefore, naturally regards with a jealous eye, those who shun his presence,--as inimical to his rule, and none more so perhaps, than the proud and wealthy patricians of Moscow, known to possess the liberal principles so subversive of despotism: men who prefer to reside with their families among the ancient retainers of their house, and to enjoy the freedom, and surpassing beauty of their native city. Not so, however, the Count Erintoff; he kept at a distance from the court, and the eye of authority, that he might enjoy greater license for his vices and profligacy. His palace stood in the environs of the city, and was furnished with all the magnificence and luxury for which his fortune gave ample means. It was a stately mansion, and had been rebuilt after the conflagration by his father; a nobleman every way qualified to fill the high station he held; but who with culpable indulgence had not paid that attention to the education of his son, which would qualify him to be a worthy successor to himself. Magnificent mirrors and pictures adorned the walls; couches and hangings from the East; objects of virtu from Italy; of decoration, from France; and furniture and all the appurtenances of comfort from England, filled the rooms. The Count was pacing through his spacious galleries with hasty steps, when a servant submissively approached him. "How now knave! what want you here?" said the Count, angrily; without noticing the person of the intruder. "I come to bring you the information you sent me to gain," answered the man. "I have been partly successful." "Ah, Groff! is it you, faithful villain. I did not expect you so soon," said the noble. "What is the information you bring me? for if I recollect right, you had a variety of commissions to perform." "Why, what I should think would please you most--about the Gipsy girl, who before slipped through our fingers," answered the man. "What of her, knave?" said the Count, in an angry tone at his servant's freedom of speech; but the man seemed unmoved as he answered, "She is now in Moscow, I passed her just now on my way here, and I have formed a plan by which I think I can induce her to come here."