“I fairly reveled in my imperial power, but I never forgot to be prudent.  I lessened the duties and slightly increased the pay of the military regiments stationed in and about Moscow, and thus the Princess Sophia became very popular with the army, and I felt safe.  I went in to see the princess every day, and several times when she was in her right mind she asked me if everything was going on well, and once when I assured her that all was progressing quietly and satisfactorily, she actually thanked me.  This was a good deal for a Russian princess.  If she had known how the people were thanking her, I do not know what would have happened.

“For twenty-one days I reigned over Russia.  If I had been able to do it, I should have made each day a year; I felt that I was in my proper place.”

“And thee was right,” said Mrs. Crowder, her eyes sparkling.  “I believe that at that time thee was the only monarch in the world who was worthy to reign.”  And with a loyal pride, as if he had just stepped from a throne, she put her hand upon his arm.

“Yes,” said Mr. Crowder, “I honestly believe that I was a good monarch, and I will admit that in those days such personages were extremely scarce.  So my imperial sway proceeded with no obstruction until I was informed that Prince Galitzin was hastening to Moscow, on his return from his estates, and was then within three days’ journey of the capital.  Now I prepared to lay down the tremendous power which I had wielded with such immense satisfaction to myself, and with such benefit, I do not hesitate to say, to the people of Russia.  The effects of my rule are still to be perceived in some of the provinces of Russia, and decrees I made more than two hundred years ago are in force in many villages along the eastern side of the Volga.

“The day before Prince Galitzin was expected, I visited Sophia for the last time.  She was a great deal better, and much pleased by the expected arrival of her minister.  She even gave me some commands, but when I left her I did not execute them.  I would not have my reign sullied by any of her mandates.  That afternoon, in a royal sledge, with the royal permission, given by myself, to travel where and how I pleased, I left Moscow.  Frequent relays of horses carried me rapidly beyond danger of pursuit, and so, in course of time, I passed the boundaries of the empire of Russia, over which for three weeks I had ruled, an absolute autocrat.”

“Does thee know,” said Mrs. Crowder, “that two or three times I expected thee to say that thee married Sophia?”

Mr. Crowder laughed.  “That is truly a wild notion,” said he.

“I don’t think it is wild at all,” she replied.  “In the course of thy life thee has married a great many plain persons.  In some ways that princess would have suited thee as a wife, and if thee had really married her and had become her royal consort, like Prince Albert, thee might have made a great change in her.  But, after all, it would have been a pity to interfere with the reign of Peter the Great.”