“What will you fight for now?” asked Henri with a sad smile. “For vengeance?” “For _peace_,” returned Ivan. “Shall I tell you what the Czar says about that? He speaks without anger or bitterness of your Emperor.” “Call him not _mine_,” Henri interrupted, with a flush on his pale cheek. “Mine he never was. I am a Royalist.” “Well, then, of Napoleon. ‘What a brilliant career,’ said the Czar, ‘that man might have run! He could have given peace to Europe--he could have done it; and he has not. Now the charm is broken.’” “At least you Russians cannot regret that,” said Henri with enthusiasm; “for the olive crown of the peace-maker which Napoleon has put aside awaits the brow of Alexander.” “So said the friend to whom the Czar was speaking.[46] ‘If only peace is made,’ was his answer, ‘what does it matter by whom, whether by him, or by me, or by another?’ It is a good time to think of peace,” Ivan added. “To-morrow will be Christmas day, when peace and good-will upon earth were sung by the angels.” “To-morrow?” repeated Henri. “Am I dreaming? Surely I remember noticing that one of the first blessed, restful days I spent here was Christmas day.” “You forget,” said Ivan with a smile, “that we Russians are behind the Western world by twelve days. Our Christmas is your feast of the Epiphany. After divine service to-morrow, the Czar begins his journey, and we follow.” “You do not accompany him?” “No; he travels with far greater speed than we could do. For guards he never cares anything.” “Strange,” said Henri--“strange; and how perilous! Think of the country, overrun by war, swarming with stragglers from the army, with desperate characters of every kind!” “He has no fears,” returned Ivan; “nor we for him. Even our white-haired general, with all the caution of his seventy years, answered to some one who spoke as you do, ‘Who could have the courage to harm him?’[47] But, my friend, I must go now, for it is late. Accept my best wishes for your recovery.” He clasped Henri’s hand warmly, and contrived to leave in it a few pieces of gold. Henri tried to remonstrate, but was quickly silenced. “Soldiers always help one another; that is a matter of course. If you like,” added Ivan, with a touch of playful malice, “you can repay me after the first French victory. Good-bye.” “What a fine young fellow!” thought Ivan as he left the hospital; “so grateful and so patient. And I have forgotten even to ask his name! How thoughtless of me! Too late to return now. But I am sure he is well born, particularly since he calls himself a Royalist. Probably he belongs to one of those noble families of the old _régime_ Napoleon delights to oppress and humble.” Over Ivan himself great changes had passed, and were passing even then. Perhaps his share in the foregoing conversation has already indicated these with sufficient clearness; if not, his conduct during the events that have yet to follow may complete the picture.