The Daughter of an Empress

That was precisely the kind of flattery pleasing to Elizabeth.

"Think you so, flatterer?" asked Elizabeth. "Well, for once I will

believe your words, and assume that the Princess Elizabeth may be

fair without the aid of splendor in dress. We therefore accept the

invitation, Woronzow. Announce that to the regent's messenger. But still

it is sad and humiliating," continued Elizabeth after a pause, a cloud

passing over her usually so cheerful countenance, "yes it is still a

melancholy circumstance for the daughter of the great Peter to be so

poor that she is not able to dress herself suitably to her rank. Ah,

how humiliating is the elevation of my high position, when I cannot even

properly reward you, my friends, for your fidelity and attachment!"

"You will one day be able to reward us," significantly remarked

Grunstein. "One day, when an imperial crown surmounts your fair brows,

then will your generous heart be able to act according to its noble

instincts."

"Still the same old dreams!" said Elizabeth, shaking her head and

letting Razumovsky's long locks glide through her fingers. "Pay no

attention to him, Alexis, he is an enthusiast who dreams of imperial

crowns, while I desire nothing but a ball-dress, that in it I may please

you, my friend!"

"Oh, you always please me," whispered Alexis, "and most pleasing are you

when--"

The conclusion of his flattering speech he whispered so low that it was

heard by no one but the princess.

Patting his cheek with her little round hand, she blushed, but not for

shame, as she did not cast down her eyes, but answered with a glowing

glance the tender looks of her lover. She blushed only from an internal

passionate excitement, while her bosom stormily rose and fell.

"You are very saucy, Alexis," said she, but at the same time lightly

kissing him upon the forehead, and smiling; but then her brow was

suddenly clouded, for the door was again opened and once more the lackey

appeared upon the threshold.

"The French ambassador," said he, "the Marquis de la Chetardie, begs the

favor of an audience."

"Ah, the good marquis!" cried the princess, rising from her reclining

position. "Conduct him in, he is very welcome."

The lackey opened both wings of the folding-door, and the marquis

entered, followed by several servants with boxes and packets.

"Ah, you come very much like a milliner," laughingly exclaimed

Elizabeth, graciously advancing to receive the ambassador.

Dropping upon one knee, the marquis kissed her offered hand.

"I come, illustrious Princess Elizabeth, to beg a favor of you!" he

said.

"You wish to mortify me," responded Elizabeth. "How can the ambassador

of a great and powerful nation have a favor to ask of the poor,

repudiated, and forgotten Princess Elizabeth?"

"In the name of the king my master come I to demand this favor!"

solemnly answered the marquis.