Chapter 37 Summary

Since the passengers are nervous about meeting the Russian emperor, they invite the Odessa Consul aboard to teach them what they should do when presented to the Emperor. He tells them he has never witnessed a reception, but has heard about them. He teaches the passengers what to do, and they proceed to the palace. All the formalities play out just as the Consul described. After the greetings, everyone relaxed and wandered around to have more casual conversations with the Emperor, the Empress, the fourteen-year-old Duchess or any other of the palace officers. It is at this time when Twain notes the Emperor's greatest weakness: his daughter. While Twain is appreciative of the warm welcome his group is receiving, he can't help but notice the softening of the Emperor's expression each time he looks at the Duchess. Twain imagines that the little girl...