Page 468 (1/2)

"The first prize," said Elizabeth, "is the position of privy councillor!

Now take the dice, gentlehter and shouting when they had

thrown a high nu of the feet when it

was a low one

In the meanwhile Elizabeth listlessly stretched herself upon a divan,

and laughingly said to Alexis, who sat by her side: "Oh, it is very

pleasant to be an empress Only see how happy they all are, and it is I

alone who make them so; for out of these common soldiers I have

created respectable officers, and have converted serfs into barons and

gentle me to become an empress

It is a noble pleasure, and I should now be unwilling to return to that

still and uneventful life that fore that the Empress Elizabeth shall be as little troubled with labor

and business as the princess, and the empress can doubtlessly procure

for herself more pleasures than could the princess! Yes, certainly, I

will now rerace of God!"

A thundering shout and loud laughter here interrupted Elizabeth

The dice had decided! The cook of the empress had won, and becohed "These dice are very witty," said she, "for certainly

the cook nity,

Feodor, your title is recognized! Now for a new trial Two thousand