Page 478 (1/2)

The people dispersed The great returned to their palaces, and also

Alexis Razuer of the

empress, had likewise attended the execution, returned to the ie Venetian ed for the fourth time

"Well," she asked of Alexis, as he entered, "was it an interesting

spectacle? Was the handso, she was s a purple

flower to her hair

"She was flayed," laconically replied Alexis "Her blood streamed down a

back that was as red as your beautiful lips, Elizabeth"

Elizabeth offered hily asked, "who is now the handsomest woman in my

real her

"And now tell me," said she, with curiosity, "what did this proud

countess do? How did she behave, what did she say?"

Alexis, seating himself upon a tabouret at her feet, related to her all

about the fair Eleonore, and what a terrible curse she uttered

"Ah, nonsense!" replied Elizabeth, shrugging her shoulders, "How can

one make such a stupid prayer to God! I shall never ed with the knout"

But while thus speaking, her eyes suddenly beca hand upon her heart--tears gushed from her

eyes

Under her heart she had felt a movement of a new and mysterious life!