"
"The Princess Elizabeth can thus speak only in jest," said an earnest
voice behind them.
"Ah, Lestocq!" said the princess, with a friendly nod. "You come very
late, my friend."
"And yet too soon to bring you bad news!" said Lestocq, with a profound
and respectful bow to the princess.
"Bad news?" repeated Elizabeth, turning pale. "_Mon Dieu_, am I, then,
one too many for them here? Would they kill me, or send me in exile to
Siberia?"
"Yet worse!" laconically responded Lestocq. "But, first of all, let us
be cautious, and take care that we have no listeners." And, crossing
the room, Lestocq closed all the doors, and carefully looked behind
the window curtains to make sure that no one was concealed there. "Now,
princess," he commenced, in a tone of solemnity, "now listen to what I
have to say to you."
A CONSPIRACY
A momentary pause followed. Princess Elizabeth silently motioned her
friends to be seated, and drew her favorite Alexis nearer to her.
Lestocq, her physician and confidant, with a solemn countenance, took a
place opposite her.
"We are ready to hear your bad news," said the princess.
"The regent, Anna Leopoldowna, will have herself crowned as empress,"
laconically responded Lestocq.
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