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"Princess!" reproachfully exclaientle empress, you will not sacrifice an innocent woary!"

"Ah, he ventures to intercede for her!" cried Elizabeth, with a hoarse

laugh, and, turning to Lestocq, she continued, with anger-flashing eyes:

"Lestocq, I have yet a condition toto become an

empress"

"Name your condition, princess, and if it be within the co an angry glance at Razumovsky, Elizabeth said, with a sinister

smile: "Swear to me, by all you hold most sacred, to find soive ht to condemn her to

death!"

"I swear it by all I hold most sacred," solemnly responded Lestocq

"And you will do well in that!" exclaimed Alexis "For when a crime

rests upon her, and she, only with a word or look, offends against my

fair and noble empress, she will deserve such condeer?" asked the so lover

"What is Countess Lapuschkin to me?" tenderly responded Alexis "For

me there is but one woman, one empress, and one beauty, and that is

Elizabeth!"

The princess smiled with satisfaction "Lestocq," said she, "this time

I keep my word I am ready to dare all, in order to place the imperial