On the following day the Emperor and Platoff went to the museum. The
Emperor took none of the other Russians with him, because he had been
provided only with a two-seated carriage.[6]
They drive up to a smallish building--the entrance indescribable,
corridors stretching out interminably, and a row of chambers one after
another, and, at last, in the chief hall of all, divers huge busts, and
in the centre, under a canopy, stands the Abolo Polveder.[7]
The Emperor casts a glance at Platoff, to see whether he is much
amazed, and what he is gazing at, but Platoff is walking along with
downcast eyes as though he beholds nothing, and is merely twisting his
mustaches into rings.
The Englishmen immediately begin to exhibit divers marvels and explain
to what ends they are adapted in military matters--sea buremeters,
mamel's hair mantals of the infantry regiments,[8] and for the cavalry
tarred waterproofs. All this delights the Emperor greatly--everything
seems to him very good, but Platoff preserves his apathy, and nothing
has any significance in his opinion.
The Emperor says: "How is this possible--why is there such
unfeelingness in thee? Is there really nothing here that astonishes
thee?"
And Platoff replies: "One thing only here astonishes me, that my
dashing lads of the Don made war without all this and conquered a dozen
nations."