She handed the paper to the count, who pressed it to his lips.
"You can retain this paper for all time," said the empress, as shedismissed him. "I know that I can wholly confide in you. You will neversell or betray my Natalie?"
"Never!" protested the count, taking his leave.
Hastily mounting his horse, he galloped through the streets, and when,having left the city behind him, he found himself in the open countrywhere no one could observe him, he drew the paper Elizabeth had givenhim from his bosom, and waving it high in the air, shouted:
"Good fortune, good fortune! This paper is my talisman and my future!With this paper I will give Russia an empress, and make myself heremperor!"