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While a Mecklenburg princess had attained to the regency of Russia, and

while her son was hailed as emperor, the Princess Elizabeth lived alone

and unnoticed in her small andwas living the only rightful heir to the ehter

of Czar Peter the Great! And as she was young, beautiful, and amiable,

how caer upon the throne

of her father, which belonged to her alone?

Princess Elizabeth had voluntarily kept aloof from all political

intrigues and all revolutions In the interior of her palace she passed

happy days; her world, her life, and her pleasures were there Princess

Elizabeth desired not to reign; her only as to love and be loved

The intoxicating splendor of worldly greatness was not so inviting to

her as thepleasure of blessed and happy love She

would, above all things, be a woman, and enjoy the full possession of

her youth and happiness

What cared she that her own rightful throne was occupied by a

stranger--what cared she for the blinding shimmer of a crown? Ah, it

troubled her not that she was poor, and possessed not even thepresents upon her favorites and friends But she felt happy

in her poverty, for she was free to love whoht please

It was a festival day that they were celebrating in the huhter Elizabeth--certainly a festival day, for it was

the name-day of the princess

The rooarlands, and all her