I have been into town; I made myself joyous; I thought I had found something that would give you pleasure. I have _deranged_ myself. If you permit it, I will compensate my annoyance by coming to see you earlier.
I considered the _cotignac_ so precious I would not delay your gastronomic joys.
MADAME,---Will you exchange colonial products? Here is a little of my coffee. My sister writes that I shall have more to-morrow; therefore, take this. You shall have your coffee-pot to-morrow. Will you give me _a little_ tea for my breakfast? I want strictly a little.
Have you passed a good night? Are you well? Have you had good dreams? I hope your health is good, so that we can go and take a walk [_nous promener, bromener_]. The treasury? ... _Furth!_
TO HER MAJESTY RZEWUSKIENNE, MME. HANSKA.
Very dear sovereign, sacred Majesty, sublime queen of Paulowska and circumjacent regions, autocrat of hearts, rose of Occident, star of the North, etc., etc., etc., fairy of _tiyeuilles_.[1]
Your Grace wished for my coffee-pot, and I entreat your Serene Highness to do me the honour to accept one that is prettier and more complete; and then to tell me, to fling me from your eminent throne a word full of happiness, amber, and flowers, to let me know if I am to be at Your sublime door in an hour, with a carriage, to go to Coppet.
I lay my homage at the feet of your Majesty, and entreat you to believe in the honesty of your humble moujik, HONORESKI.
[Footnote 1: _Bromener_ and _tiyeuilles_ (_tilleuls_ lindens), make fun of her pronunciation.--TR.]
Never did an invalid less merit that name. He is ready to go to walk, to fetch his proofs, and when his business is finished, which will be in about a quarter of an hour, he will go and propose to Madame _la doctrice_ to profit by this beautiful day to take an air-bath on the Crêt of Geneva, along the iron railings; unless the laziness of the Hanski household concurs with that of the poor literary moujik who lays at your feet, madame, his strings of imaginary pearls, the treasure of his heroes, his fanciful Alhambra, where he has carved, everywhere, not the sacred name of God, but a human name that is sacred in other ways. But all this immense property may not be worth, in reality, the four games won yesterday.