Hardly two
hours had passed since Elizabeth, in those same sledges, had left her
palace as a poor, trembling princess; and now, as reigning empress, she
sent them back to the dethroned regent.
The latter entered the palace of the princess as a prisoner, while
Elizabeth, as empress, took possession of the palace of the czars.
THE SLEEP OF INNOCENCE
Anna Leopoldowna had hardly left the room in which she had been
surprised and captured, when Lestocq turned to Grunstein with a new
order.
"Now," said he, in an undertone to him--"now hasten to seize the
emperor. This little Ivan must be annihilated."
Elizabeth had overheard these words, and remembering Anna's last prayer,
she exclaimed with vehemence:
"No, no, I say, he shall not be annihilated! Woe to him who injures a
hair of his head! I will not be the murderer of an innocent child! Take
him prisoner, get him in your power, but in him respect the child and
the emperor! Tear him not forcibly from his slumber, but protect his
sleep! Poor child, destined to suffer so early!"
"No weakness now, princess," whispered Lestocq; "show yourself great
and firm, else all is lost! Come away from here, that the sight of this
child may not yet more enfeeble your heart.
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