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I left Russia with the actress Valville, and I must here tell the reader how I came to make her acquaintance. I happened to go to the French play, and to find myself seated next to an extremely pretty lady who was unknown to me. I occasionally addressed an observation to her referring to the play or actors, and I was immensely delighted with her spirited answers.
I See the Empress My Conversations with Her The Valville I Leave Zaiya I Leave St. Petersburg and Arrive at Warsaw The Princes Adam Czartoryski and Sulkowski The King of Poland Theatrical Intrigues Byanicki I thought of leaving Russia at the beginning of the autumn, but I was told by M M. Panin and Alsuwieff that I ought not to go without having spoken to the empress.
Madame Valville was like most young Frenchwomen of her class; she had charms which she wished to turn to account, and a passable education; her ambition was to be kept by one man, and the title of mistress was more pleasing in her ears than that of wife. In the intervals of four amorous combats she told me enough of her life for me to divine what it had been.
Possibly, however, I should not have looked into matters so closely if I had not been in love with Madame Valville. Zaira spent the next morning in gathering together her belongings, now laughing and now weeping, and every time that she left her packing to give me a kiss I could not resist weeping myself. When I restored her to her father, the whole family fell on their knees around me.
This gentleman gave me an excellent reception, and told me that the sovereign hand ordered him to give me my passport, my salary for a year, and a hundred ducats for the journey. The money will be forwarded in a fortnight, as my name will have to be sent to the Gazette." Madame Valville was very grateful, and we fixed the day of our departure.
Her expression charmed me, and I took the liberty of asking her if she were a Russian. "No, thank God!" she replied, "I am a Parisian, and an actress by occupation. My name is Valville; but I don't wonder I am unknown to you, for I have been only a month here, and have played but once." "How is that?" "Because I was so unfortunate as to fail to win the czarina's favour.
She was just going to reply when I was handed a note from Madame Valville, asking me to call on her, as she had a piece of news to give me. I ordered the carriage immediately, telling Zaira that I should not be long. "Very good," she replied, "I will give you a plain answer when you come back." I found Madame Valville in a high state of delight.
With these words I made my way out of the hall, and on turning my head round I saw that the two elderly men were keeping the young blockhead back. I got into my carriage and waited some time, and as he did not come I drove to the theatre and chanced to find myself in the same box as Madame Valville. She informed me that she had left the boards, and was kept by the Marquis the Brunel.
After a delicate supper, seasoned by pleasant and witty talk, Madame Valville granted me all I could desire. I went downstairs for a moment to send away my coachman and to instruct him what he was to say to Zaira, whom I had forewarned that I was going to Cronstadt, and might not return till the next day.
I wished her good luck, and arranged to sup with her again on the day I meant to part with Zaira. All French girls who sacrifice to Venus are in the same style as the Valville; they are entirely without passion or love, but they are pleasant and caressing. They have only one object; and that is their own profit.
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