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to discover and reward true service!

"Ah," sighed Elizabeth, when, on the evening of this glorious day, she

was again alone with her confidential friends, "ah, my friends, I have

now complied with your wishes and allowed you to et not, Lestocq, that I have become empress only on condition

that I am not to be troubled with business and state affairs This has

been a day of great exertion and fatigue, and I hope you will henceforth

leave me in repose I have done what you wished, I am empress, and have

rewarded you for your aid, but now I also demand my reward, and that is

undisturbed peace! Once for all, in my private apartments no one is to

speak of state affairs, here I will have repose; you can carry on the

governh your bureaux and chancelleries; I will have

nothing to do with it! Here ill be gay and enjoy life Come here, my

Alexis,--co, and

whether you found me fair in my ermine-trimmed purple mantle?"