"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."