"I dare not," answered Beckendorff, "without the consent of the Emperor of Russia." Amy had desired him to go to Russia and obtain this consent from the Emperor more than a month before; but still he lingered! Our box was soon so crowded that I was obliged to turn one out as fast as a new face appeared. Julia and Fanny left me, to pay a visit to the "enemy," as Luttrell used to call Amy. Observing me for an instant alone, the Duke of Devonshire came into my box, believing that he did me honour. "Duke," said I, "you cut me in Piccadilly to-day." "Don't you know," said thickhead, "don't you know, _Belle Harriette_, that I am blind as well as deaf, and a little absent too?" "My good young man," said I, out of all patience, "_allez donc à l'hôpital des invalides:_ for really, if God has made you blind and deaf, you must be absolutely insufferable when you presume to be absent too. The least you can do, as a blind, deaf man, is surely to pay attention to those who address you." "I never heard anything half so severe as _la belle Harriette_," drawled out the duke. Luttrell now peeped his nose into my box, and said, dragging in his better half, half-brother I mean, fat Nugent, "A vacancy for two! How happens this? You'll lose your character, Harriette." "I'm growing stupid, from sympathy, I suppose," I observed, glancing at his grace, who, being as deaf as a post, poor fellow, bowed to me for the supposed compliment. "You sup with Amy, I hope?" said I to Luttrell. "And you?" turning to Nugent. "There's a princess in the way," replied Nugent, alluding to the late Queen. "Nonsense," said Luttrell, "Her Royal Highness has allowed me to be off." "You can take liberties with her," Nugent remarked. "You great wits can do what you please. She would take it very ill of me; besides, I wish Amy would send some of those dirty Russians away. Count Orloff is the greatest beast in nature." Lord Alvanly now entered my box. "_Place pour un_," said I, taking hold of the back of the Duke of Devonshire's chair. "I am going," said his grace; "but seriously, Harriette, I want to accomplish dining alone some evening, on purpose to pay you a visit." "There will be no harm in that," said I. "None! None!" answered Luttrell, who took my allusion. Alvanly brought me a tall, well-dressed foreigner, whom he was waiting to present to me as "his friend." "That won't do, Lord Alvanly," said I; "really, that is no introduction, and less recommendation. Name your friend, or away with him." "_Ma foi, madame_," said the foreigner, "_un nom ne fait rien du tout. Vous me voyez là, madame, honnête homme, de cinq pieds et neuf pouces._" "_Madame est persuadé de vos cinq pieds, mais elle n'est pas si sure de vos neuf pouces_," Alvanly observed. "Adieu, _ma belle Harriette_," said the duke, at last taking my hint and rising to depart. Julia and Fanny now returned: the latter as usual was delighted to meet Alvanly.