Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/242

214 the vigour of life and health, was already touching with the end of his fingers the sceptre, which he would very probably hold firmly and long. Now, zeal or indifference for one or the other might equally compromise them, and prove equally dangerous. In this cruel dilemma, they took the abdomen of their sovereign as a compass to guide their actions and movements; it moved with force, they quickly surrounded the bed and uttered mournful lamentations; its motion began to slacken, and still more quickly, with an air half joyful, half respectful, they hurried to surround the Grand Duke. This manœuvring of fear and flattery lasted during thirty hours without intermission, as the abdomen did not cease to move until twelve o'clock on the following morning, when the immortal Catherine died for good and all. On examining the body, they found that a vessel had burst in the head, and that the blood was suffused over the brain. The Grand Duke was immediately proclaimed Emperor, and took the reins and whip of government, handling them with