man, scarcely thirty years of age, a lieutenant-general in the Russian
service, and enjoying the high favour of his sovereign Catherine II.
The fair Greek, as may well be imagined, did not reject this favour
of fortune, but accepted the offer of her suitor without hesitation.

It was easy to foresee that the Marquis de Vauban would not be very
willing to part with a prize which he regarded as lawfully acquired,
and to which he attached no small value. The Count therefore found it
advisable to resort to stratagem. Accordingly, his Excellency having one
day taken a ride beyond the ramparts, the draw-bridges were raised,
and the lovers repaired to church, where their hands were joined by a
_papa_. When the Marquess appeared at the gates of the fortress and
demanded admittance, a messenger was sent out to inform him of what had
happened; and, to complete the denouement of the comedy, the marriage
contract was exhibited to him in due form.

To save Sophia from the reproaches which her precipitancy, it may
perhaps be said her ingratitude, would have fully justified, the Count
directed the ambassador's suite to pack up their baggage, and join his
Excellency _extra muros_. The poor Marquess soon discovered that
it was quite useless to stay where he was, for the purpose of venting
threats and complaints; and he had no hope that the Court of France
would think it worth while to go to war, for the sake of avenging his
affront. He therefore prudently took a hint from one of the French
poets, who says:--

Le bruit est pour le fat, la plainte pour le sot,
L'honnête homme trompé, s'éloigne, et ne dit mot;"