Fortunately my friend K——­, of the Russian Legation, rescued me at a moment when I was prepared only to moralise on this infernal situation, and to see nothing but evil in everything both around me and in myself.  I like to put it all down to the strange stupor and lack of energy which have settled down on everything like a blight, but I believe, also, that there must be a little bit of remorse at the bottom of my feelings.  K——­ came in gaily enough, pretending that he was looking for a breakfast and had learned of my retreat by mere chance as he rode by.  He had heard, I believe, as a matter of fact, that there were a number of women on the premises, and that I was living en prince.  Perhaps, he had a number of reasons for coming.  From what he told me, however, it soon appeared that he had known L——­, the commander of the Russian columns, for many years, and had just done business with him; and that, in consequence, the Russian commander, who is a pleasant old fellow, risen from the ranks, had said that he could have a private view of the Palace if he swore on his honour that he would not divulge the excursion to any one.  He must, also, not take anything.  He did not tell me all at first.  It came out bit by bit, after I had been sounded on a number of points.  Then he asked me if I would like to come, and if I, too, would swear.

Of course, I duly swore!

Eventually we started on our long ride; for it was necessary for us to go right round the Imperial city, skirting the pink walls so as not to become involved in other people’s territory, or to be noticed too much.  That was one of the preliminary precautions, K——­ said.  All the way round, that ride was a beautiful illustration of the way the International Concert (written with capital letters) is now working.  At absolutely every entrance into the Imperial city there were troops of one nationality or another:  American, British, French, German, Japanese, and others—­all looking jealously at every passer-by, and holding so tight to their precious gates, that it appeared as if all the world was conspiring to wrest them from their grasp.  They thought, perhaps, that this Palace is the magic wand which touches all China and can produce any results; that both in the immediate and dim future the obtaining of a good foothold here will mean an immense amount to their respective countries.  What fatuous, immense foolishness!  For a moment, as I looked at these guards, I had the insane desire to charge suddenly forward and call upon the French, in the name of their dear Ally, Czar Nicholas, to hand me their gate, or else take the consequences; to do the same to the others; to mix them up and confuse them; to tell them that a new war had been declared; that they would soon have to fight for their lives against formidable foes—­to tell them mad things and to add to the rumours which already fill the air.  These troops, which had been hurled on Peking in frantic haste, had only come because it was a matter of jealousy—­that