Yes, I will tell the Emperor that it pleases me very much.'
The old minister paid great attention, so that he could tell the same to the Emperor when he came back to him, which he did.
The Emperor soon sent another worthy statesman to see how the weaving was getting on, and whether the cloth would soon be finished.
"This pattern, and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them."
The old minister listened attentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun.
The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready.
When the Emperor had passed nearly all the regiments, the troops began a ceremonial march past him, and Rostov on Bedouin, recently purchased from Denisov, rode past too, at the rear of his squadron- that is, alone and in full view of the Emperor.
Bending his foaming muzzle to his chest, his tail extended, Bedouin, as if also conscious of the Emperor's eye upon him, passed splendidly, lifting his feet with a high and graceful action, as if flying through the air without touching the ground.
Rostov himself, his legs well back and his stomach drawn in and feeling himself one with his horse, rode past the Emperor with a frowning but blissful face "like a vewy devil," as Denisov expressed it.
The Emperor wore a cap, frock coat and pantaloons, all of some kind of plain white drilling--cotton or linen and sported no jewelry or any insignia whatever of rank.
Taking the kind expression that is in the Emperor's face and the gentleness that is in his young daughter's into consideration, I wondered if it would not tax the Czar's firmness to the utmost to condemn a supplicating wretch to misery in the wastes of Siberia if she pleaded for him.
He is a proud man, as he has every reason to be, and it pleases him to be termed Emperor rather than King."
"Our mighty Emperor has lately caused himself to be nickel-plated."
The riders would leap them over my hand, as I held it on the ground; and one of the emperor's huntsmen, upon a large courser, took my foot, shoe and all; which was indeed a prodigious leap.
Two days after this adventure, the emperor, having ordered that part of his army which quarters in and about his metropolis, to be in readiness, took a fancy of diverting himself in a very singular manner.
