Page 427 (1/2)

"Are you in earnest?" slass nearer to her person, and placing a bouquet of flowers in

her hair to exalass

"Oh, Heavens!" cried Count Oster you that you are threatened with a conspiracy!"

"A conspiracy!" laughed the regent, "and Princess Elizabeth to be at the

head of it! Believe htly to understand women I, however, am a woman, and I

understand Elizabeth You think that when she kindly chats with the

soldiers, and adrenadiers into her house, it

is done for the purpose of conspiring with them Go to, Count Ostermann,

you are very innocent Princess Elizabeth has but one passion, but it

is not the desire of ruling; and when she chats with handsohing, the regent essayed

a new head-dress

"And how do you explain the secret s of Lestocq and the Marquis

de la Chetardie?" asked Osteritation

"Explain? Why should I seek an explanation for things that do not at all

interest eon Lestocq has to do with

the constantly-ailing French ambassador? Or do you think I should

trouble myself about the laveeon?"

"Well, then, your highness will allow s from