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She regarded him with a dreamy smile "You speak as Paulo often spoke

to me," said she "He also swore to me that he would one day place an

ireat power! I understood

hiht scornful smile momentarily passed over Orloff's features

"Catharine has therefore rightly divined," thought he, "and her wise

htly understood this Rasczinsky There was, indeed, question of

an imperial crown, and this was to have been the new little empress!"

Aloud he said: "You will soon understand me, princess, and it is time

you knehat crown Paulo spoke"

"I know it not," said she, "nor do I desire to know it! Perhaps it was

a jest, hich he sought to console

a homeless orphan, a poor child, who knew not even the name of her

mother!"

"Do you not know that?" exclaimed Orloff, with astonishment

She sadly shook her head "They would never tell it e in et!"

"I knew your mother," said Orloff; "she was beautiful as you are, and

at hi friendliness "Oh, you knew her! You