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But at this moment Anna's eyes fell upon the lace mantelet of the

princess, and quite involuntarily ca words of

Ostermann, who had said to her: "The French aovernment, provides the princess not only with money, but also

with the newest modes and most costly stuffs" This lacesi; it certainly required especial sources and especial nificent exeent's brow, and in a rather sharp and cutting

tone she said; "One question, princess! How came you by this admirable

lace veil, the like of which I have not seen here in St Petersburg?"

While putting this question, the regent's eyes were fixed with a

piercing, interrogating expression upon the face of the princess: she

wished to observe the slightest shrinking, the least movement of her

features

But Elizabeth was prepared for the question; she had already considered

her ansith the marquis and Lestocq Her features therefore betrayed

not the least disturbance or disquiet; raising her bright and childlike

eyes, she said, with an unconstrained smile: "You wonder, do you not,

how I caht days

rejoiced in the expectation of surprising you to-day with the sight of

it!"

"But you have not yet told ent in a sharper tone