“Ah, if it be really so,” said Elizabeth, “then can I no longer have any regard for her.  Anna will remove my friends from here, and that is a betrayal of the friendship she has sworn for me.  I have therefore no further obligations toward her!  I am free to act as I think best.  Lestocq, I will be no nun, but an empress!  You now have my word, and are at liberty to make all necessary arrangements.  If it must be done, let it be done quickly and unhesitatingly.  I have yet to-day the courage to dare any enormity, therefore let us utilize this day!”

“Expect me to-night at twelve o’clock!” said Lestocq, rising; “I will then be here to bring you the imperial crown.”

This firm confidence made Elizabeth tremble again.  Until now all had seemed like a dream, a play of the imagination; but when she read in Lestocq’s bold and resolved features that it was a reality, she shook with terror, and an anxious fear overpowered her soul.

“And if it miscarry?” said she, thoughtfully.

“It will not and cannot miscarry!” responded Lestocq.  “The right is on your side, and God will watch over the daughter of the great czar.”

“And then, when I am really empress,” said Elizabeth, thoughtfully, to herself, “what then?  There is no happiness in it!  They will give me another title, they will place a crown upon my head, and bind me to a throne.  I shall no longer be free to act according to my will, to live as I would.  Thousands of spies will lurk around me.  Thousands of eyes will follow my steps, thousands of ears will listen for my every word, in order to interpret and attach a secret meaning to it!  They will call me an empress, but I shall be a slave bound with golden fetters, upon whose head sits a golden crown of thorns.  And this toil and weariness!  These tiresome sittings of the ministers, this law-making and the signing of orders and commands!  How horrible!—­Lestocq,” suddenly cried the princess aloud, “if I must always labor, and make laws, and subscribe my name, and command and govern, then I will be no empress, no, never!”

“You shall be empress only to enjoy life in its highest splendor.  We, your servants and slaves, we will work and govern for you!” said Lestocq.

“Swear that to me!  Swear to me that I shall not be constrained to labor, swear that you will govern for me, that I may devote my time to the enjoyment of life!”

“I swear it to you by all that is most sacred to me.”

“Well, then, I will be your empress!” said Elizabeth, satisfied.

At this moment a secret door opened and gave admission to Alexis Razumovsky.

By his entrance Elizabeth was reminded of her inflamed eyes, and of the fair Countess Eleanore Lapuschkin.

She gave Alexis a searching, scrutinizing glance, and it seemed to her that he appeared less tender and ardent than usual.

“Oh,” she proudly said, motioning her favorite to approach her and lightly kissing him upon the forehead, “oh, I will yet compel you to adore me.  When an imperial crown encircles my brow, then will you be obliged to confess that I am the fairest of women!  Alexis, on this night shall I become an empress!”