Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/251

Rh the arrival of the young count Stanislaus Poniatofsky, whom she afterwards raised to the throne of Poland and again hurled from it, banished all remembrance of Soltikoff; but Elizabeth was quickly informed of this intrigue, and gave orders to Poniatofsky to leave Russia without delay, which he obeyed; but Bestucheff, studying to render himself agreeable to Catharine, colleagued with the Polish minister, Poniatofsky was sent back as minister plenipotentiary, and he contrived also to gain the favour of the grand duke.

Forgetful of the lessons of prudence taught her by her mother, but which she afterwards took as rules for her conduct, Catharine betrayed a faint imitation of the irregularities of her aunt the empress, and public report began to be very loud in her prejudice.

The grand duke alone knew nothing of what was passing, till Bestucheff fell into disgrace, when his enemies called his attention to the conduct of Catharine and Poniatofsky.

Peter was overwhelmed with grief and consternation, and no longer observed the respect he had hitherto shewn the grand duchess. He forbade her to be seen with Poniatofsky, and then hastened to the empress, and besought her to revenge the affront he had received; telling her, that the chancellor had not only favoured their misconduct, but repeatedly betrayed her confidence. Bestucheff was arrested on the spot. At once deprived of his place, tried, pronounced guilty of treason, and sentenced to death; but the empress contented herself with banishing him to an estate at a considerable distance from Moscow.

Catharine now, abandoned on all sides, resolved to try what her eloquence would do with the empress once more, and demanded an audience, which Elizabeth.