The Daughter of an Empress

"How well the diadem would become that proud pure brow!" exclaimed

Alexis, with animation.

"How happy would this poor Russia be under your mild sceptre!" said the

chamberlain, Woronzow.

"Yes, you owe it to all of us, to yourself and your people, to mount the

throne of your fathers," said Grunstein.

"But if I say to you that I will not?" cried the princess, reclining

again upon her divan. "The duties of an empress are very difficult and

wearing. I love quiet and enjoyment; and, moreover, this throne of my

father, of which you speak so pathetically, is already occupied,

and awaits me not. See you not your sublime Emperor Ivan, whom the

regent-mother is rocking in his cradle? That is your emperor, before

whom you can bow, and leave me unmolested with your imperial crown.

Come, Alexis, sit down by me upon this tabouret. We will take another

look at these magnificent presents. Ah! truly they are dearer to me than

the possession of empire."

"The Princess Elizabeth can thus speak only in jest," said an earnest

voice behind them.

"Ah, Lestocq!" said the princess, with a friendly nod. "You come very

late, my friend."

"And yet too soon to bring you bad news!" said Lestocq, with a profound

and respectful bow to the princess.

"Bad news?" repeated Elizabeth, turning pale. "Mon Dieu, am I, then,

one too many for them here? Would they kill me, or send me in exile to

Siberia?"

"Yet worse!" laconically responded Lestocq. "But, first of all, let us

be cautious, and take care that we have no listeners." And, crossing

the room, Lestocq closed all the doors, and carefully looked behind

the window curtains to make sure that no one was concealed there. "Now,

princess," he commenced, in a tone of solemnity, "now listen to what I

have to say to you."