The regent
has deeply offended you. How could he dare refuse to make you his
generalissimo?"
"Ah, it is not for that," said Munnich with embarrassment; and, seeking
to give the conversation a different turn, he continued--"ah, see, Count
Ostermann, what a terrible animal is crawling there upon your dress!"
"Policy, nothing but policy," tranquilly responded Ostermann, while the
princess turned away with an expression of repugnance.
"Well," cried the prince, laughing, "explain to us, Count Ostermann,
what those disgusting insects have to do with policy or politics?"
"We are all four Germans," said Ostermann, "and consequently are all
familiar with the common saying, 'Tell me the company you keep, and I
will tell you what you are!' I have always kept that in mind since I
have been in Russia; and to make this good people forget that I am a
foreigner, I have taken particular pains to furnish myself with a supply
of their dirt and of these delicate insects. If any one asks me who I
am, I show him these creatures with whom I associate, and he immediately
concludes that I am a Russian."
Ostermann joined in the laugh that followed this explanation, but
suddenly he uttered a piercing cry, and sank down upon a chair.
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