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"Naotten it!" said Elizabeth with

vehemence

Alexis Razuly

raising his hands, said: "Elizabeth, my empress, have compassion for my care and anxiety on your

account; leave me not to tre you unthreatened and free froreatness

and splendor! Oh, Elizabeth, listen to the prayer of your faithful

servant--let not this Anna Leopoldowna pass the boundary of your

realrant his prayer," cried Lestocq, kneeling beside Alexis; "there

is wisdoenerosity of your own heart! Let not your enemies escape, but seize

thereatest and fairest woman on earth," implored Alexis, "have

coain, never be cheerful,

if you allow these your erous enemies to withdraw themselves

from your power!"

Elizabeth bent down to him with a smile of tenderness, and laid her left

hand upon his locks, while with her right she gently raised his head to

herself

"Love you me, then, so very much, my Alexis," she asked, "that you

suffer with anxiety for my safety? Ah, that makes me happy--that fills

my whole heart with joy! Only look at him, Lestocq; see how beautiful