"No, Gregory," said Catharine, weeping profusely, "you shall remain to shield me from my enemies."
So saying, she put her arms around his neck, but he drew them away.
"No, Catharine, no! After what I have heard to-day. I do not desire to live. Let me die! let me die!"
"Potemkin," cried she, struggling to detain him, "I shall never, never mistrust you again. And I promise you that Gregory Orloff shall never pass this threshold again."
"How? Do you promise to sacrifice Orloff to me?" cried Potemkin, eagerly, cured in a thrice of his desire for death.
"I do, Gregory, I do. There shall be but one Gregory to reign over my court and my heart, and he shall be Gregory Potemkin!"
"You swear it, Catharine?"
"My imperial word thereupon. Now will you remain and protect me?"
"Yes, I remain, to confound your enemies. It shall not be said that I am flown in the hour when your noble head is endangered. I shall remain for your sake, for the peril is very great, Catharine."
"Gracious Heaven, Gregory, what danger threatens me?"