On perceiving her, a faint smile passed over Anna's features.
"Ah, come you thus to me, Elizabeth?" she said, reproachfully, with a
proud glance at the princess.
Elizabeth could not support that glance. She cast down her eyes, and
again Anna Leopoldowna smiled. She was conquered, but before her,
blushing with shame, stood her momentarily subdued conqueror. But
Anna now remembered her son, and, folding her hands, she said, in an
imploring tone:
"Elizabeth, kill not my son! Have compassion upon him!"
Elizabeth turned away with a shudder, she felt her heart rent, she had
not strength for an answer.
Lestocq beckoned the soldiers, and commanded them to remove the
traitress, Anna Leopoldowna.
Thirty warriors took possession of the regent, who calmly and proudly
submitted herself to them and suffered herself to be led away.
In the corridor they encountered another troop of soldiers, who were
escorting the regent's husband, Prince Ulrich of Brunswick, and Anna's
favorite, Julia von Mengden.
"Anna!" sorrowfully exclaimed the prince, "oh, had you but listened to
my warning! Why did I not, in spite of your commands, what I ought to
have done? I alone am to blame for this sad misfortune.
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