Title: Michael Strogoff

Author: Jules Verne

BOOK I

CHAPTER I A FETE AT THE NEW PALACE

"SIRE, a fresh dispatch."

"Whence?"

"From Tomsk?"

"Is the wire cut beyond that city?"

"Yes, sire, since yesterday."

"Telegraph hourly to Tomsk, General, and keep me informed

of all that occurs."

"Sire, it shall be done," answered General Kissoff.

These words were exchanged about two hours after midnight,

at the moment when the fete given at the New Palace was at

the height of its splendor.

During the whole evening the bands of the Preobra-jensky and Paulowsky

regiments had played without cessation polkas, mazurkas, schottisches,

and waltzes from among the choicest of their repertoires.

Innumerable couples of dancers whirled through the magnificent saloons

of the palace, which stood at a few paces only from the "old house

of stones"--in former days the scene of so many terrible dramas,

the echoes of whose walls were this night awakened by the gay strains

of the musicians.

The grand-chamberlain of the court, was, besides, well seconded

in his arduous and delicate duties. The grand-dukes and their

aides-de-camp, the chamberlains-in-waiting and other officers of

the palace, presided personally in the arrangement of the dances.

The grand duchesses, covered with diamonds, the ladies-in-waiting

in their most exquisite costumes, set the example to the wives

of the military and civil dignitaries of the ancient "city

of white stone." When, therefore, the signal for the "polonaise"

resounded through the saloons, and the guests of all ranks took