The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-04-09
A NihiliSt
Episode
1t Occurred at a State Dinner
at St. Petersburg
By PAUL MURIANIEF

By PAUL NfURIANIEP
l don't know any woman who has a
better chance to see the upper world
than the wife of diplomat. She takes
her social rank from the diplomatic
service and often is admitted where
mobiles cannot go. Quite frequently
there are functions wherein the num-
Der of invited guests is limited, but
from which the representatives Of 9th
er countries cannot be left out.
One Of the posts where my husband
was stationed was st. Petersburg, Rus
sia. He was not the minister plenipo-
Tertiary, but secretary Of legation.
Even this subordinate position admit
ted US to the larger ceremonies, and
there was a period when the minister
was called away and we were advanc-
ed during his absence to his privileges
On one occasion we attended state
dinner given at the Winter palace.
believe that my husband and myself
were the only persons present except
the representatives Of the French re-
public who were not noble. l was tax
en- in to dinner by the secretary of the
German legation, and my husband took
in the wife Of the British ambassador
There was large company assembled,
and Of course all were either mobiles or
high government officials or members
Of the diplomatic corps.
Never did outside appearances more
belle the actual condition. The czar
and czarina fulfilled their duties as
hosts as well as their imperial position
with that dignity which was required
Of them, while they were living on a
mine that was liable to explode at any
moment There were also officials pres
ent whose lives were in danger. The
only persons who had cause to feel per-
fectly safe were we Of the diplomatic
corps, and even we were liable through
sympathy or deception to become mix
ed In some revolutionary plot involving
assassination from the consequences
Of which the government we represent
ed would not save US.
1t was impossible in looking about
among the brilliantly hveried attend
ants to know who were servants and
who were spies, special guards, MEM
bers of the secret police or persons 9TH
erwise connected with the foiling of at
tempts to assassinate either the en-
yoror cop1o ~ tho rovol 70 rafIu or I'M
portant officials Of the empire.
Opposite me sat a dignifed man
whom I noticed that all who came In
contact with treated with great re-
spect. l asked who he was and was
told that he was the governor of Fin
land. l caught my breath, for at that
time the province Of Finland was un-
dergoing a terrorism from the imperial
government that had excited against
1t very bitter feeling. But to look
at this man conversing glibly with his
dinner companion one would not dream
that many a citizen of the province he
governed would be delighted to plunge
q knife into his heart. Possibly his
composure was assumed, possibly he
had become used to danger as soldier
who continually faces death, but the
most probable solution was that the
servant who waited on him was a
trained protector, who was watching
the slightest motion of every one near
his chief.
There was fascination for me about
%Nn Ia1 vhA 60 fhn
governor that could not well account
for. Never have l seen such a face,
such eyes. such an expression. She
was not beautiful. at least according
to the Anglo-Saxon's conception of
beauty. She was rather impressive. /
asked also who she was and was told
that she was the daughter of promi
nent general in the Russian army.
The emperor and his consort leave
the dining room at state dinners be-
fore their guests. Indeed. their pres
ence there is but one Of the many for
malites to which they are slaves,
though masters Of millions of subjects.
All the guests rise while the imperial
couple pass out and remain standing
till they have disappeared. During
this passage all eyes were turned upon
them. Mine. however, had found
something that interested me more
than they, and there was little drama
being enacted before me. / saw the
girl have mentioned turn and give
quick glance at a servant who stood
behind her chair. / did not note her
expression, but | did note the expires
sion of the servant. His eyes were
fixed upon her with look shall new
er forget At no time in my life have
seen the human eye express SO much
The only idea ] can give Of what it
expressed is the feelings of cat that
is about to pounce upon mouse.
When we were reseated a change
had come over the young lady. 1t was
evident that her mind was bent on ex
Treating herself from some danger.
Furthermore, she gave me look which
spoke as plainly as words an appeal
for help. 1t was woman's appeal to
a woman, an appeal involving much to
the one who made it. Knowing the
conditions existing In st. Petersburg at
that time and from what l had seen.
would have been very obtuse had
not made one Of those quick differences
that come to US in moments of great
Importance as to the underlying cause.
knew that the girl was in danger
from the waiter and had vague idea
tibet 1t was from some political com
plication. More than this could form
40 opinion.