The Daughter of an Empress

"Unhappy man, what is it you dare!" said Lestocq, boldly advancing. "You

are guilty of high-treason. Fall upon your knees and implore pardon of

your empress, Elizabeth!"

The officer shrank bank in terror. It was an empress who stood before

him, and he had dared to defy her!

Begging forgiveness and mercy, he dropped his sword and fell upon his

knees. The Russian slave was awakened in him, and he bent before the one

who had the power to command.

Unobstructed, retained by no one, Elizabeth and her followers now strode

through the corridor leading to the private apartments of the regent.

Sentinels were placed at every door, with strict commands to strike down

any one who should dare to oppose them.

In this manner they reached the anteroom of the regent's chamber.

Elizabeth had not the courage to go any farther. She hesitatingly

stopped. A deep shame and repentance came over her when she thought of

the noble confidence Anna had shown, and which she was now on the point

of repaying with the blackest treason.

Lestocq, whose sharp, observing glances constantly rested upon her,

divined her thoughts and the cause of her irresolution. He privately

whispered some words to Grunstein, who, with thirty grenadiers,

immediately approached the door of Anna's sleeping-room.

With a single push the door was forced, and with a wild cry the soldiers

rushed to the couch upon which Anna Leopoldowna was reposing.

With a cry of anguish Anna springs up from her slumber, and shudderingly

stares at the soldiers by whom she is encompassed, who, with rough

voices, command her to rise and follow them. They scarcely give her time

to put on a robe, and encase her little feet in shoes.

But Anna has become perfectly calm and self-possessed. She knows she is

lost, and, too proud to weep or complain, she finds in herself courage

to be tranquil.

"I beg only to be allowed to speak to Elizabeth," said she, aloud. "I

will do all you command me. I will follow you wherever you wish, only

let me first see your empress, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth, leaning against the door-post, had heard these words;

yielding to an involuntary impulse of her heart, she pushed open the

door and appeared upon the threshold of Anna Leopoldowna's chamber.

On perceiving her, a faint smile passed over Anna's features.

"Ah, come you thus to me, Elizabeth?" she said, reproachfully, with a

proud glance at the princess.

Elizabeth could not support that glance. She cast down her eyes, and

again Anna Leopoldowna smiled. She was conquered, but before her,

blushing with shame, stood her momentarily subdued conqueror. But

Anna now remembered her son, and, folding her hands, she said, in an

imploring tone: "Elizabeth, kill not my son! Have compassion upon him!"