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And even Alexis had been unable to withstand this ic! Oh, Elizabeth

narroatched hilance;

she had seen how he always pressed near her, how he blushed with joy

when she remarked his presence and returned his salutation! Yea, she,

and perhaps only she, had seen Alexis covertly possess hilove which Eleonore had lost the previous evening at the grand court

ball, had seen hilove to his lips and afterward conceal it

in his bosom

As Elizabeth thought of these things her eyes filled with tears, and

her whole forry with or to

punish him, but she was resolved that Eleonore Lapuschkin should feel

the whole weight of her vengeance

"Oh," said she, while pacing her boudoir in a state of violent

excitement, "I shall kno to punish this presuive herself the appearance of not re that I

constantly have for her a clouded brow and an unfriendly greeting? Hoill she not take the pains to see that her empress looks upon her with

disfavor? But she shall see and feel that I hate, that I abhor her Oh,

what a powerless creature is yet an empress! I hate this woman, and she

has the iuilty"

And weeping aloud, Elizabeth threw herself upon the divan A low knock

at the door recalled her attention fro, she

bade the person at the door to enter

It was Lestocq, the privy councillor and president--Lestocq, the