"
She regarded him with a dreamy smile. "You speak as Paulo often spoke
to me," said she. "He also swore to me that he would one day place an
imperial crown upon my head, and elevate me to great power! I understood
him as little as I understand you!"
A slight scornful smile momentarily passed over Orloff's features.
"Catharine has therefore rightly divined," thought he, "and her wise
mind rightly understood this Rasczinsky. There was, indeed, question of
an imperial crown, and this was to have been the new little empress!"
Aloud he said: "You will soon understand me, princess, and it is time
you knew of what crown Paulo spoke."
"I know it not," said she, "nor do I desire to know it! Perhaps it was
a jest, with which he sought to console me when I complained of being
a homeless orphan, a poor child, who knew not even the name of her
mother!"
"Do you not know that?" exclaimed Orloff, with astonishment.
She sadly shook her head. "They would never tell it me," said she. "But
I have her image in my heart, and that, at least, I shall never lose or
forget!"
"I knew your mother," said Orloff; "she was beautiful as you are, and
mild and merciful."
"You knew her!" exclaimed the young maiden, grasping his hand and
looking at him with a confiding friendliness.
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