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"My lofty empress is always the fairest of women," tenderly responded

Alexis

"Callhiain to mind all the hardships and wearinesses I have this day

encountered"

"Only yet a moment, your majesty; let me remind you that you are now

ely exclaimed

Lestocq "You have this day exercised the pleasantest right of your

i happy But there

remains another and not less i The regent, and her husband and son, are prisoners; as,

also are Munnich, Osterden You

them"

Elizabeth had paid no attention to hi

with Alexis, who had let down her long dark hair, and was now playfully

twining it around her white neck

"Ah, you have not listened to me, your majesty," impatiently cried

Lestocq "You nity,

and direct what is to be done with the imprisoned traitors"

"Only see, Alexis, how this new lord privy counsellor teasesto Lestocq, she continued: "I think you

should understand the laws better than I, and should kno traitors

are punished"