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son born to Elizabeth some months previously had died soon after its

birth, and in this dispensation Elizabeth recognized the punishment of

heaven in disapproval of her connection with Alexis, she shudderingly,

remembered the words spoken by Eleonore Lapuschkin, and her heart was

filled with fear for the children which the futureher

"I will destroy the curse which this Countess Lapuschkin has pronounced

against ht Elizabeth, as she now for the second time

felt herself to be a mother "If God blessescan affect theeful prayer of the

countess will have no more pohen the priest of God has consented

and blessed the child now quietly reposing under my heart!"

This was the reason why Elizabeth resolved to marry Alexis Razumovsky;

this was the reason why she, in a solitary chapel, accompanied only by

Lestocq and the priest, stood before the e-altar with Alexis, and

became his wife

She breathed freer when the priest had pronounced his blessing upon her;

an oppressive weight was lifted from her heart; the child she was about

to bear was saved and sheltered, and Eleonore's curse had no longer any

power over it!