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And with a shrill cry of anguish the princess clung to the neck of her

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The door was now hastily opened, and upon the threshold appeared Lestocq

and Woronzow

"Princess Elizabeth!" exclaimed Lestocq, with solemnity, "I have come

for you The throne awaits its ee, ive us an example of spirit and resolution!"

The princess slowly raised her pale face frolances, faintly said: "I suffer fearfully!

This anguish will kill me! My destiny is so cruel, I am so tormented

Why must I be an empress?"

"That you may be no nun," laconically responded Lestocq

"And to becoreatest and loftiest woman in the world!" said

Woronzow

"To raise to your own elevation the lance of tenderness, Elizabeth nodded to him

"Yes," said she, "for your sake, o But where is Grunstein?"

"With his faithful followers he awaits us before the casern of his

regio!" said Elizabeth, striding forward But she stopped on

seeing that Alexis folloith the other two

"No," said she, "you e to act and speak, I led in the

strife--I must not have to tremble for your life! No, no, only when

I know that you are concealed and in safety, can I have courage to

struggle for an imperial crown Promise me, therefore, Alexis, that you