“What did they say?  They said nothing!  They were dumb and looked astonished.  They made exactly such eyes as I have seen made at home, upon my father’s estate in Liefland, by the calves when the butcher knocked them upon the head.  But now,” continued Julia, nestling again at the feet of her mistress, “now give me a token of your favor, and forget for a while that you are regent.  Let us chat a little like a couple of real genuine women—­that is, of our husbands and lovers.  Oh, I have very important news for you!”

“Well, speak quickly,” said Anna, with eagerness.  “What have you to tell me?”

Julia assumed a very serious and important countenance.  “The first and most important piece of news is, that your husband, Prince Ulrich of Brunswick, is very jealous of me, and yet of one other!”

“Bah!” said Anna, contemptuously, “let him be jealous.  I do not trouble myself about it, and shall always do as I please.”

“No, no, that will not do,” seriously responded Julia.  “It is so tiresome to always hear the wrangling and growling of a jealous husband!  I tell your grace that I must have quiet in his presence; I can no longer bear his grim looks and his constant anger and abuse.  You must soothe him, Princess Anna, or I will run away from this horrible court, where a poor maiden is not allowed to have her friend and mistress, the charming Princess Anna Leopoldowna, with all her heart and soul!”

The regent’s eyes filled with tears.  “My Julia,” she tremulously said, “can you seriously think of leaving me?  See you not that I should be thereby rendered very solitary and miserable?”

And, raising up her favorite into her arms, she kissed her.

Julia’s bright eyes also filled with tears.  “Think you, then, princess, that I could ever leave, ever be separated from you?” she tenderly asked.  “No, my Princess Anna has such entire possession of my heart, that it has no room for any other feeling than the most unbounded love and devotion to my dear, my adored princess.  But for the very reason that I love you, I cannot bear to have your husband fill the palace with his jealous complaints, and thus publishing to St. Petersburg and all the world your unfaithfulness and criminal intrigues.  Oh, I tell you I see through this generalissimo, I know all his plans and secret designs.  He would gladly be able to convict you of infidelity to him—­then, with the help of the army he commands, declare his criminal wife unfit for the regency, and then make himself regent!  He has a cunningly devised plan, but which my superior cunning shall bring to naught!  I will play him a trick!—­But no, I will tell you no more now!  At the right time you shall know all.  Now, Princess Anna, now answer me one question.  Do you, then, so very much love this Count Lynar?”