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Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/114

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86
ITINERARY OF THE PRISONERS.

some of it still remained; I saw, for instance, a dressing table of the Empress, and her bed-room, with a small door leading to that of her favourite. It was, indeed, impossible to travel more comfortably. At Szklow, Zoritz prepared her quite a gallant surprize. The Empress alighted at her house, and after supper, Zoritz led her as far as the door of the apartments which were destined for her. The Empress stept in, but how surprised was she at seeing herself in her own apartments at St. Petersburg! She beheld the same size of apartments, the same tapestry, the same furniture, and even the same bed-curtains. It was impossible to prove, in a more suitable manner, how deeply the recollection of those places which had witnessed his happiness, was engraven on his heart. It is said that the Empress, unable to resist so many delicate attentions, rewarded the author of them in a manner which annoyed Mamonow, the favourite in active service at that time.