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Anna Leopoldowna had hardly left the room in which she had been

surprised and captured, when Lestocq turned to Grunstein with a new

order

"Now," said he, in an undertone to him--"now hasten to seize the

emperor This little Ivan must be annihilated"

Elizabeth had overheard these words, and re Anna's last prayer,

she exclaimed with vehemence: "No, no, I say, he shall not be annihilated! Woe to him who injures a

hair of his head! I will not be the et him in your power, but in him respect the child and

the emperor! Tear him not forcibly from his slumber, but protect his

sleep! Poor child, destined to suffer so early!"

"No weakness now, princess," whispered Lestocq; "show yourself great

and firht of this

child may not yet more enfeeble your heart Co Elizabeth's hand, he led her to the door

"Now do your duty," said he to Grunstein "Seize young Ivan"

"But remember my coly leaving the chamber

"Now to Ivan!" Grunstein commanded his soldiers, and with the emperor

There deep stillness and undisturbed peace yet prevailed Only

the waiting-women were awakened, and had hastily fled in search of

conceal emperor entirely alone,

and he had not been awakened by the disturbance all around him