THE SLEEP OF INNOCENCE
Anna Leopoldowna had hardly left the room in which she had beensurprised and captured, when Lestocq turned to Grunstein with a neworder.
"Now," said he, in an undertone to him--"now hasten to seize theemperor. 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 ahair of his head! I will not be the murderer of an innocent child! Takehim prisoner, get him in your power, but in him respect the child andthe emperor! Tear him not forcibly from his slumber, but protect hissleep! Poor child, destined to suffer so early!"
"No weakness now, princess," whispered Lestocq; "show yourself greatand firm, else all is lost! Come away from here, that the sight of thischild may not yet more enfeeble your heart. Come, much more remains tobe done."
And, reverently taking Elizabeth's hand, he led her to the door.
"Now do your duty," said he to Grunstein. "Seize young Ivan."
"But remember my command, and spare him," said Elizabeth, slowly andhesitatingly leaving the chamber.
"Now to Ivan!" Grunstein commanded his soldiers, and with them hehastened to the sleeping-room of the young emperor.
There deep stillness and undisturbed peace yet prevailed. Onlythe waiting-women were awakened, and had hastily fled in search ofconcealment and safety. They had left the young emperor entirely alone,and he had not been awakened by the disturbance all around him.
He lay quietly in his splendid cradle, which was placed upon a sort ofestrade in the centre of the room, dimly lighted by a lamp suspendedfrom the ceiling by golden chains. This slumbering, smiling, childishface, peeping forth from the green silk coverings of the pillows,resembled a fresh, bursting rosebud. It was a sight that inspiredrespect even in those rough soldiers.
Devoutly staring, they at first remained at the door of the room; thenslowly, and stepping on the points of their toes, they approached nearerand surrounded the cradle. But, remembering the words of their newempress, "Spare his sleep," no one dared to touch the child, or awakenhim from his slumber.
In close order the bearded warriors pressed around the cradle of theimperial child, leaning upon their halberds, watching for his awaking.
It was a rare and admirable picture. In the centre, upon its estrade,was the splendid cradle of the slumbering child, and all around, uponthe steps of this child-throne, these soldiers with their wild andthreatening faces, all eyes expectantly resting upon the smilinginfantile brow.
The door now opened, and, her face pallid with terror, Ivan's nurserushed into the room and to the cradle of her imperial nursling. Thesoldiers, with imperious glances, beckoned her to await in silence, likethemselves, the awakening of the emperor. The poor woman spoke not, buther fast-flowing tears indicated the depth of her grief.
Time passes. As if under enchantment, earnest, immovable, silent, standthe soldiers. Behind the cradle, her eyes and arms raised imploringlytoward heaven, stands the nurse, while the child continues to slumber,smiling in its sleep.
At the expiration of an hour thus passed, the imperial infant moves,throws up its little rosy arms, opens its eyes--it is awake!
A cry of triumph escapes the lips of all the soldiers--all arms werestretched forth to seize him who, an hour before, had been their lordand emperor.
The child, frightened by the aspect of these rough soldiers, bursts outinto a cry of alarm, and stretches out its little arms toward its nurse.
She takes him in her arms and weeps over him. The frightened childburies its little face in the bosom of his nurse, and the soldiersnow convey them both to the waiting sledges. The dethroned emperor isquickly transported to the dethroned regent at Elizabeth's palace, who,with hot tears, clasps her son to her heart.