Loudly clinked their glasses, loudly was shouted a _viva_ to the
empress, which Elizabeth laughingly accepted by offering them her hands
to kiss, and was delighted when they fell into ecstasies over the beauty
and freshness of those hands.
"Now, silence, gentlemen of the body-guard!" she cried. "I, your
captain, command attention!"
And, when silence was established, she continued: "We will have a game
at dice, and titles and orders, gold and brandy, shall be the prizes for
which you shall contend!"
"Ah, that is magnificent, that is a glorious game!" exclaimed they all.
"The first prize," said Elizabeth, "is the position of privy councillor!
Now take the dice, gentlemen!"
They began to throw the dice, with laughter and shouting when they had
thrown a high number--with lamentations and stamping of the feet when it
was a low one.
In the meanwhile Elizabeth listlessly stretched herself upon a divan,
and laughingly said to Alexis, who sat by her side: "Oh, it is very
pleasant to be an empress. Only see how happy they all are, and it is I
alone who make them so; for out of these common soldiers I have
created respectable officers, and have converted serfs into barons and
gentlemen! I thank you, Alexis, for impelling me to become an empress.
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