CHAPTER V

SOME SOCIAL MEMORIES

My Thursdays in Russia--Khalil Pasha's Death--Lord Napier and the Lady-in-Waiting--Madame Volnys--My Parents-in-law's _ménage_--An Exceptional Type--Prince Vladimir Dolgorouki's Embarrassment--The Grand Duchess Helen--A Brilliant Woman--The Emperor's Enjoyment--The Campbell-Bannermans--A Royal Diplomatist--Mark Twain on Couriers--In Serious Vein--Verestchagin--"The Retreat from Moscow"--The Kaiser's Remarkable Utterance