An Imperial Lover by Mary Imlay Taylor

AS soon as Apraxin was secured, I went to the palace of Mentchikof, knowing that I had no time to lose; my captive's attendant would bear the tidings of his seizure to his uncle, and there would be some decisive action at once, on one side or the other. The czar's feeling toward Apraxin might tie Zotof's hands for the moment, but it was probable that the servant had recognized mademoiselle and would report her presence to her uncle. I reached Mentchikof's house at an hour when he was not receiving visitors, but after a little parley with the porter, was admitted and only waited a few minutes in the ante-room before being summoned to the favorite's presence. He had just risen, and he received me in his own apartment, which was as luxurious as the bed-chamber of an emperor. He had heard enough of my conversation with the czar on the previous evening to be aware of my troubles, and was therefore prepared to listen to my complaint. I told him briefly of the course of events and of the successful capture of Apraxin. I was tolerably frank with him, knowing that I needed both his good-will and his assistance, for he was the only one on whom I could rely for any material aid. I concealed only the presence of Najine, for I was anxious to leave her out of the affair and, if possible, to hide the fact that she was at my lodgings. Mentchikof listened to me with keen attention, and I saw, at once, that he was striving to see some way out of the labyrinth. Mademoiselle's headstrong conduct and her open aversion to the czar's suit were both points in our favor, for Peter was one to resent keenly the ridicule that they naturally threw upon his course.

"It is a delicate matter, M. le Maréchal," Mentchikof remarked thoughtfully. "The czar has undoubtedly imprisoned M. de Lambert. He probably ordered his arrest in one of those moments of ungovernable passion when he takes little account of what he does, but, having taken this rash action, it is difficult for him to recede from it."