"So, that is right," said he, interrupting his singing, "that is very
fine. Now let go my hand and turn proudly and majestically around.
Beautifully done! Now a half turn sideward. One, two, three--la, la, la,
tra la!"
"Yet one more question," interposed Lestocq; "may the council of state
sit in judgment upon Lowenwald and de Mengden, and will you confirm
their decision?"
"One, two, three--tra, la, la!" sang Alexis, and the empress whirled and
made her graceful turn, as he had taught her.
Lestocq repeated his question to the empress.
Elizabeth was precisely in the most difficult tour.
"Yes, yes," she breathlessly cried, "I deliver them all over to you;
scourge them, punish them, send them to Siberia--whatever you think
best! Halt, Alexis, we must try this tour over again. But, indeed, I
think I shall acquit myself very well in it."
"Heavenly!" cried Alexis. "Once more, then! One, two, three--la, la, la,
tra la!"
PUNISHMENT
"Punish them all, all!" had Elizabeth said, "but the regent, her
husband, and her son--them you will permit to return to Germany!"
"We must accomplish the will of the empress, and therefore let them go!"
"We will obey her commands," said Lestocq to Alexis Razumovsky.
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