Jules Verne

Michael Strogoff Jules Verne

During the whole evening the bands of the Preobra-jensky and Paulowsky regiments had playedwithout cessation polkas, mazurkas, schottisches, and waltzes from among the choicest of theirrepertoires. 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 somany terrible dramas, the echoes of whose walls were this night awakened by the gay strains of themusicians. The grand-chamberlain of the court, was, besides, well seconded in his arduous and delicateduties. The grand-dukes and their aides-de-camp, the chamberlains-in-waiting and other officers ofthe palace, presided personally in the arrangement of the dances. The grand duchesses, covered withdiamonds, the ladies-in-waiting in their most exquisite costumes, set the example to the wives of themilitary 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 part in that measuredpromenade, which on occasions of this kind has all the importance of a national dance, the mingledcostumes, the sweeping robes adorned with lace, and uniforms covered with orders, presented ascene of dazzling splendor, lighted by hundreds of lusters multiplied tenfold by the numerousmirrors adorning the walls