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5o4
5o4 IN SPAIN AND IN EXILE [chap. xxv.
him up the magnificent and monumental staircase
between two rows of halberdiers, wearing the authentic
gold-laced costume of the eighteenth century. To the
strains of the National Anthem I passed through the
rooms of the Palace, magnificent rooms full of the most
beautiful bronzes, furniture, brocades, Gobelin tapestries,
representing the best specimens of the Louis XIV. and
Louis XV. periods.
After a few minutes’ delay I was shown into the
presence of His Majesty.
The Royal throne, on which His Majesty was seated,
was approached by several steps flanked by four
life-sized lions in gilded bronze. On the King’s left stood
the Ministers, the Court, the Generals and military
commanders of the capital, all in full uniform; on his
right stood the Grandees of Spain. It was pointed out
to me that more Grandees than usual were attending
the audience: they were curious to see a " Muscovite
revolutionary " being presented to the King. They were
somewhat disappointed when they saw me appearing in
my diplomatic dress, heavily embroidered in silver, and
observing all the traditional precepts and rules of
etiquette!
After the usual ceremonial greetings I read ni}’
speech to the King, who listened to it seated. In this
speech I recalled the very great services rendered to
humanity, and more particularly to the Russians, by
Spain and her King who had undertaken the protection
of our civil prisoners in enemy countries, the protection
of military prisoners, and also the task of the possible
alleviation of the fate of the victims in this ghastly war.
As I was still labouring under the impression of the
good news received in Paris, I mentioned with great
satisfaction the " ardent patriotism," and the "
unswerving loyalty to alliances " which constituted one of
the points of resemblance between the Russian popular
soul and the Spanish one. Alas! how promptly was
this portion of my oration belied by events !
My speech concluded, I handed my credentials to
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