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"This, gentle her voice, "is the simple

explanation of thisthat secret slander and ht seek

to implicate me in this affair, and that a certain inimical and

evil-disposed party, displeased that you should have a wolad to prove to you that all women are weak, faulty, and

sinful creatures! Be careful how you credit such enerals under the flashing glance

of the regent, who now turned to her husband with asmile "You,

my prince and husband," said she, "you I have to thank!--your tenderness

of heart induced you generously to furnish me with this opportunity to

justify uished and best-beloved subjects

and servants, and thus to break the point of the weapon hich

calumny threatened my breast! I therefore thank you, my husband But

see! there co-doors were at this

train of palace officials and servants approached At the head of the

train was Julia von Mengden, bearing a velvet cushion bespangled with

brilliants, upon which reposed the child in a dress of gold brocade On

both sides were seen the richly adorned nurses and attendants, and near

theolden cushion the inia of e Ivan in her arms; the child smiled in her

face, and stretched forth his hand toward the sparkling crown

With her son upon her arm, Anna majestically advanced to the centre of