Page 17 (1/1)

"And now perhness," said Ostermann "Will you

have the kindness, prince, to command your lackeys to bear me to my

sedan-chair? It is impossible for ht contending for a throne, I shall, perhaps, be struggling

with death"

And with a groan, sinking back into the arms of the lackeys whom the

prince had called, Ostermann suffered himself to be carried down to his

chair, which awaited hiroaned and cried out as they

placed him in it, but as soon as its doors were closed and his serfs

were trotting with hi expression

vanished from Ostermann's face, and a sly smile of satisfaction played

upon his lips

"I think I have well eood Munnich will never beco

Ostero quietly to bed and co events Such an illness, at the right ties I learned that after the death

of Peter II Who knoould then have become of me had I not been

careful to remain sick in bed until Anna had ain be sick, and in thewe shall see! Should

this conjuration succeed, very well; then, perhaps, old Osterradually recover sufficient health to take yet a few of the burdens

of state upon his own shoulders, and thus relieve the good Munnich of a

part of his cares!"