Page 436 (2/2)

adoration

The princess had long hated the young Countess Eleonore Lapuschkin,

and considered her as a rival; but that this rival should now gain an

interest in the heart of her favorite, that filled Elizabeth's soul

with anger and agitation, that caused her eyes to flash and her blood to

boil

Staringly as Alexis Razumovsky's eyes were fixed upon the countess, she,

unconscious of this double observation, stood cheerful and une friends and adorers

Anna Leopoldowna followed the glance of the princess, and, observing

the beautiful Lapuschkin, said, without thinking of Elizabeth's very

susceptible vanity: "Leonore Lapuschkin is an admirably beautiful woman, is she not? I

never saw a handso dreaht and splendor Do you not find it so,

Elizabeth?"

"Oh, yes, I find it so," said Elizabeth, with a constrained smile "She

is the handsomest woman in your realent

"Oh, no, she is handsomer than I!" murmured Elizabeth

Poor Leonore! In this moment hath the princess pronounced your sentence

of condemnation, and in her heart subscribed the stern order for your

execution

A longer view of this triu a sudden attack of illness, she ie