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"Then let them crush us," she quietly said "It is better to be crushed

at once than to be slowly and lingeringly wasted!"

"But you hearher hands

"They will drive us from here, I tell you; they will expel you froeyes "Who dares threaten me in my own house?"

"Without are soldiers and bailiffs and the officers of the Russian

embassy They have made a forcible entrance, and with force they will

expel you fro

everything in the house"

A dark purple glow for a lance was flame "I will see," said she, "who has the robber-like

boldness to dispute my possession of my own property!"

With proud steps and elevated head she strode through the roo upon the corridor

The bailiffs and soldiers, who had been placed there, respectfully stood

aside Natalie paid no attention to them, but immediately advanced to

the officer ith a loud voice, was just then co was taken from the rooms

"I wish to know," said Natalie, with her clear, silver-toned voice--"I

wish to knohat right people here force their way into my house,

and what excuse you have for this shameless conduct?"