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In a word, she knows that we conspire, and that you are the principal agent in the conspiracy." "Then I am lost!" sighed Lestocq, gliding down upon a chair. "No, not quite," said Elizabeth, with a smile, "for I have saved you. Ah, I should never have believed that the playing of comedy was so easy, but I tell you I have played one in a masterly manner.
In later years I was able to assure Auber, whom I often met over an ice in Tortoni's cafe in Paris, that in his Lestocq I had been able to render the part of the mutinous soldiery, when seduced into conspiracy, with an absolutely full number of voices, a fact for which he thanked me with astonishment and delight.
In these coquettish efforts of her vanity she had utterly forgotten all the plans and projects of her friends and adherents; she thought no more of becoming empress, but she would be the queen of beauty, and in that realm she would reign alone with an absolute sway. A servant announced Lestocq. A cloud of displeasure lowered on the brow of the princess.
Elizabeth remained perfectly cheerful, perfectly unembarrassed, and even laughingly exclaimed "What a silly story!" "I believe nothing of it," said Anna, "but at last my ministers will compel me to imprison Lestocq and bring him to trial, in order to get the truth out of him." "Ah, they will torture him, and yet he is innocent!" cried Elizabeth, bursting into tears.
Have you not heard how the grenadiers of the Preobrajensky regiment shouted after her? Has it not been told you that Lestocq holds secret intercourse with the French ambassador, and know you not that Lestocq is the confidential servant of the princess? Guard yourself against Princess Elizabeth, your highness!"
My destiny is so cruel, I am so tormented. Why must I be an empress?" "That you may be no nun," laconically responded Lestocq. "And to become the greatest and loftiest woman in the world!" said Woronzow. "To raise to your own elevation the man you love," whispered Alexis. With a glance of tenderness, Elizabeth nodded to him. "Yes," said she, "for your sake, my Alexis, I will become an empress!
"Oh, they were very gay at the yesterday's dinner of the conspirators," said Lestocq. "The husband of Countess Lapuschkin even ventured to drink the health of the Emperor Ivan, and to his speedy liberation!" "But that is high-treason!" exclaimed Elizabeth. "Ah, I had cause to tremble and eternally to stand in fear of my murderers!
"You will therefore renounce your sacred and well-grounded claims to the imperial throne?" asked Lestocq, continuing his scribbling. "Yes, that will I," responded Elizabeth. "I will no longer be plagued with your plans and machinations I will have repose.
But where were Elizabeth's more particular friends, who had made her an empress? Where was Lestocq? Him the empress had banished to Siberia.
Elizabeth turned away with a shudder, she felt her heart rent, she had not strength for an answer. Lestocq beckoned the soldiers, and commanded them to remove the traitress, Anna Leopoldowna. Thirty warriors took possession of the regent, who calmly and proudly submitted herself to them and suffered herself to be led away.
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