Much has been written of this side of her earlier and later life; yet, though it is impossible to deny that she had favorites, one should judge very gently the conduct of a girl so young and thrust into a life whence all the virtues seemed to be excluded.  She bore several children before her thirtieth year, and it is very certain that a grave doubt exists as to their paternity.  Among the nobles of the court were two whose courage and virility specially attracted her.  The one with whom her name has been most often coupled was Gregory Orloff.  He and his brother, Alexis Orloff, were Russians of the older type—­powerful in frame, suave in manner except when roused, yet with a tigerish ferocity slumbering underneath.  Their power fascinated Catharine, and it was currently declared that Gregory Orloff was her lover.

When she was in her thirty-second year her husband was proclaimed Czar, after the death of the Empress Elizabeth.  At first in some ways his elevation seemed to sober him; but this period of sanity, like those which had come to him before, lasted only a few weeks.  Historians have given him much credit for two great reforms that are connected with his name; and yet the manner in which they were actually brought about is rather ludicrous.  He had shut himself up with his favorite revelers, and had remained for several days drinking and carousing until he scarcely knew enough to speak.  At this moment a young officer named Gudovitch, who was really loyal to the newly created Czar, burst into the banquet-hall, booted and spurred and his eyes aflame with indignation.  Standing before Peter, his voice rang out with the tone of a battle trumpet, so that the sounds of revelry were hushed.

“Peter Feodorovitch,” he cried, “do you prefer these swine to those who really wish to serve you?  Is it in this way that you imitate the glories of your ancestor, that illustrious Peter whom you have sworn to take as your model?  It will not be long before your people’s love will be changed to hatred.  Rise up, my Czar!  Shake off this lethargy and sloth.  Prove that you are worthy of the faith which I and others have given you so loyally!”

With these words Gudovitch thrust into Peter’s trembling hand two proclamations, one abolishing the secret bureau of police, which had become an instrument of tyrannous oppression, and the other restoring to the nobility many rights of which they had been deprived.

The earnestness and intensity of Gudovitch temporarily cleared the brain of the drunken Czar.  He seized the papers, and, without reading them, hastened at once to his great council, where he declared that they expressed his wishes.  Great was the rejoicing in St. Petersburg, and great was the praise bestowed on Peter; yet, in fact, he had acted only as any drunkard might act under the compulsion of a stronger will than his.