The Czar well understood French, and I think could have spoken it, if he had wished, but for greatness’ sake he always had an interpreter.  Latin and many other languages he spoke very well.  There was a detachment of guards in his house, but he would scarcely ever allow himself to be followed by them.  He would not set foot outside the Hotel de Lesdiguieres, whatever curiosity he might feel, or give any signs of life, until he had received a visit from the King.

On Saturday, the day after his arrival, the Regent went in the morning to see the Czar.  This monarch left his cabinet, advanced a few paces, embraced Monsieur d’Orleans with an air of great superiority, pointed to the door of the cabinet, and instantly turning on his heel, without the slightest compliment, entered there.  The Regent followed, and Prince Kourakin after him to serve as interpreter.  They found two armchairs facing each other, the Czar seated himself in the upper, the Regent in the other.  The conversation lasted nearly an hour without public affairs being mentioned, after which the Czar left his cabinet; the Regent followed him, made him a profound reverence, but slightly returned, and left him in the same place as he had found him on entering.

On Monday, the 10th of May, the King went to see the Czar, who received him at the door, saw him alight from his coach, walked with him at his left into his chamber, where they found two armchairs equally placed.  The King sat down in the right-hand one, the Czar in the other, Prince Kourakin served as interpreter.  It was astonishing to see the Czar take the King under both arms, hoist him up to his level, embrace him thus in the air; and the King, young as he was, show no fear, although he could not possibly have been prepared for such a reception.  It was striking, too, to see the grace which the Czar displayed before the King, the air of tenderness he assumed towards him, the politeness which flowed as it were naturally, and which nevertheless was mixed with greatness, with equality of rank, and slightly with superiority of age:  for all these things made themselves felt.  He praised the King, appeared charmed with him, and persuaded everybody he was.  He embraced him again and again.  The King paid his brief compliment very prettily; and M. du Maine, the Marechal de Villeroy, and the distinguished people present, filled up the conversation.  The meeting lasted a short quarter of an hour.  The Czar accompanied the King as he had received him, and saw him to his coach.

On Tuesday, the 11th of May, between four and five o’clock, the Czar went to see the King.  He was received by the King at his carriage door, took up a position on his right, and was conducted within.  All these ceremonies had been agreed on before the King went to see him.  The Czar showed the same affection and the same attentions to the King as before; and his visit was not longer than the one he had received, but the crowd much surprised him.