The Daughter of an Empress

"And to persevere in this conspiracy is to give ourselves up to certain

destruction, for doubt not they will be able to convict us. Among

Grunstein's enlisted friends there are drunkards enough who would betray

you for a flask of brandy! Princess Elizabeth, would you be a nun or

an empress? Choose between these two destinations. There is no middle

course."

"Then I would be an empress!" said Elizabeth, with flashing eyes,

trembling with anxiety and excitement, and still examining the two

drawings. "Ah, you are an accomplished artist, Lestocq, you have

designed this picture with a horrible truth of resemblance. How I stand

there! how I wring my hands, the pale lips opened for a cry of terror,

and yet silenced by a view of those dreadful shears before whose deadly

operations my hair falls to the earth, and that veil entombs me while

yet living!"

And casting away the drawings, the princess trod them under foot,

declaring in a loud and imperious tone: "These drawings are false,

Lestocq, and that will I prove to you--I, the Empress Elizabeth!"

"All hail, my empress!" cried Lestocq, throwing himself at her feet

and kissing the hem of her robe; "blessings upon you, for you have now

rescued me from the hands of the executioner! You have saved my life,

in return for which I will this day place an imperial crown upon your

heavenly brows."

"This day?" asked Elizabeth, with a shudder.

"Yes, it must be done this very night! We must improve the moment, for

only the moment is ours. Every hour of delay but brings us nearer to

our destruction. Yet one night of hesitation, and they will already

have rendered our success impossible. Ah, the Regent Anna has sworn to

believe only you, and never to doubt you, and yet she has ordered three

battalions of the guards to march early in the morning to join the army

in Viborg. Our friends and confidants are in these three battalions.

Judge, then, how very much Anna Leopoldowna confides in you!"

"Ah, if it be really so," said Elizabeth, "then can I no longer have

any regard for her. Anna will remove my friends from here, and that is

a betrayal of the friendship she has sworn for me. I have therefore

no further obligations toward her! I am free to act as I think best.

Lestocq, I will be no nun, but an empress! You now have my word, and are

at liberty to make all necessary arrangements. If it must be done, let

it be done quickly and unhesitatingly. I have yet to-day the courage to

dare any enormity, therefore let us utilize this day!"

"Expect me to-night at twelve o'clock!" said Lestocq, rising; "I will

then be here to bring you the imperial crown."