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Count Orloff's games are beginning to assume proportions.

This, Madam, is a mere boyish prank compared to some of the things he's done.

No wonder he urged you not to come to the Crimea.

I warned you, Madam.

Hold your tongue.

I don't need to be reminded of your warnings.

You will arrest Count Orloff and conduct him to St Petersburg.

Without an audience, Your Majesty?

Don't be mealy-mouthed with me, Korsakov.

You hate Orloff.

You always have. Now, be on your way.

I shall be at Kerch.

What is that piece of impertinence?

Inform Count Orloff that General Korsakov is here.

Count Orloff is sleeping, Sir.

Wake him.

He-- he had a… toothache, Sir.

There's a draught.

General Korsakov,

I'd like you to meet a… friend of mine.

Get out.

You have an ill-mannered way of ordering my friends about, Korsakov.

Mhm…

Count Orloff.

By order of her Imperial Majesty, you're under arrest.

I'm directed to escort you to St Petersburg.

What have you trumped up against me now?

- Come on, out with it! - I was not given any other instructions.

You will answer to Her Majesty

when she returns from Kerch.

She's at Kerch, is she?

- Vasska. - Yes, Sir?

General Korsakov and I will dine together.

Conduct these gentlemen to the officers' mess.

- You may go, Natasha. - Please, Your Excellency!

This is unbelievable insolence!

How dare you!

There was an attempt to execute an order for my arrest tonight, Your Majesty.

Are you under the impression I was not aware of it?

I am under the impression I do not wish to be condemned unheard!

I do not hear appeals for mercy in my boudoir, Count Orloff.

I didn't come here for mercy, Madam.

I'll rejoin General Korsakov.

You have not been dismissed, Count Orloff.

You will please turn around.

Now…

There have been no revenues

paid into my treasury from the province of Crimea.

What happened to them?

They've been used to support an army, Madam.

Crimea is a poor province.

Did you seek to enrich them by burning their houses

and hanging the men who might have tilled the fields?

I've hanged men who were said to stir up a revolt.

Are you mad or do you think they are?

You've seen this?

Tarakanova's claims are ridiculous nonsense.

She's the daughter of a cobbler.

There are people who believe she's the daughter of Empress Elizabeth.

A handful of misguided fools

don't worry me, Orloff.

"A handful," Madam?

There's been an organized movement against us in this province.

Our stores are being burned, our arms stolen.

If a handful of people did those things, they're a handful to be reckoned with!

- Why was I not informed of this? - General Korsakov was informed.

Make no mistake, Madam, this conspiracy could spread.

But how could this little upstart gain followers in that number?

Prince Radziwill has taken up her cause.

- Oh… - An adroit man, Your Majesty.

Yes.

And worse…

an ambitious man.

- He wants the throne of Poland. - Where is Radziwill?

With her. In Venice.

Let me take the fleet to Venice and blast them out of the seas.

And fight the war which would ensue single-handed?

Venice may be insignificant,

but she boasts powerful allies.

And if Tarakanova were brought to Russia?

How would you word the invitation?

Or dropped into the sea between Venice and Russia.

By whom?

By me, Your Majesty.

You're so rash, Alexei.

You don't invite trouble.

It leaps to meet you.

Let me go to Venice.

There must be no trouble with the Venetians.

I'll guarantee it.

You should keep this, Alexei,

to remind you of your duty to Russia.

And to me.

Go to Venice, then.

But return soon.

I'll start tonight, Your Majesty.

Tomorrow will be soon enough.

This stuff is from Baghdad, I should imagine.

- Mhm. - Your Majesty doesn't care for it?

Prince Radziwill.

You felt that the impression I was to make at the Doge's ball was very important.

Yes! Venice must be at your feet, Your Majesty.

The technique of eating with the Venetians has nothing to do with the sword.

Romance is the key note, Madam.

The music in a woman's voice, the way she moves,

the look in her eyes. These are the weapons you need in Venice.

Are you implying, Excellency,

that I have these qualifications, or…

that I must cultivate them?

The palace guards wilt as you pass, Madam.

Oh, really?

If we have Venice on our side,

we secure the friendship of our allies.

Then, with the conclusion of the Turkish Treaty,

our way is open to the throne of Russia.

Oh!

How beautiful!

And I also chose this to go with it.

This is beautiful, Prince Radziwill!

Permit me, Your Majesty.

I must try it immediately. Loredana, will you come with me?

With your permission, Majesty, I'll remain with Prince Radziwill.

My dear Loredana, your control is absolutely amazing.

Nobody but I would know that you're seething with jealousy.

So, you choose her gowns now and buy her jewels?

Don't be tiresome, Loredana.

Until you found her, I wasn't as…

Until I found her, there wasn't a throne at stake.

A throne for whom?

For me.

And is there one beside it for me?

Can you doubt it, my love?

Or does a newly-crowned king of Poland look higher?

Does he perhaps unite the kingdoms of Poland and Russia in holy wedlock?

Aren't you afraid of aiming too high for me, Loredana?

I am.

But you're not.

You think I'm going to sit by while you manoeuver yourself into marriage with--

How very two-faced you are, aren't you?

I will sit on the Polish throne

if I can guide her to the throne of Russia.

If you move to the throne of Poland, I'm going to Poland! Do you hear me?

My dear Loredana…

your companionship thus far has been most delightful.

But even you must realize that on the road to the throne…

there is no room for companions.

Captain Ostrov?

Your Majesty.

- What news of the Crimea? - Bad, Your Majesty.

But you are wounded!

I bring news for Prince Radziwill, Majesty.

Lean on me, Captain.

Your news must be urgent, Captain. You haven't had time to change clothes.

Your pardon, Sir, but the news is urgent. Orloff is on his way to Venice.

His ship passed Chioggia last night at dusk.

- A warship? - Yes, Sir.

What of the Crimea?

Everyone was captured. Except me.

- Captured? - Captured and hanged.

Without trial, by Orloff.

They decorate every hilltop in Ukrania.

There are thousands ready to take their place, Madam.

Unarmed… and outnumbered.

It must go on until the Turkish Treaty is concluded.

Then, in heaven's name, conclude it and quickly!

Hm…

There are two more things I need to know.

The position of the Radziwill Palace.

Here.

Now, the location of the Polish quarter of the city.

- Hm… here. - Mhm.

Thank you, Vasska.

You know Venice.

Would it be possible to take Tarakanova from the Radziwill Palace?

No.

We'd have to cross the whole of Venice with Radziwill's guards at our heels.

We can't risk an incident.

I'll have to have more information about Tarakanova: how well she's guarded,

where she goes, who her friends are,

whether or not she has a lover, and his name.

You got the fisherman clothes for Nikolsky and myself?

Yes, Sir.

May I suggest you allow me to reconnoitre first.

This Boris I told you about may be able to give us all the information we need.

Are you sure of him?

If he's alive, he's loyal.

He was a servant of my father's before he opened a wine shop.

- What's the name of the place? - The White Lion.

By the Rio Dabino.

Very well.

The sooner you get started, the better.

If you're not back by dawn, I'll come to the White Lion myself.

Gentlemen.

Hail a fishing boat, I'm going ashore.

- Let me go with you, Sir. - Not this time.

I'm looking for a man named Boris.

- Why? - Do you know where I can find him?

Perhaps.

Not very talkative, are you?

No.

You are Boris, aren't you?

You want a lot of information for no good reason I can see.

When you are prepared to state your name and your errand, come back.

Where is Captain Nikolsky, Boris? He should have been back an hour ago.

Count Orloff? They took him, Sir!

- Who took him? Where? - Radziwill's men.

The town's riddled with his spies. They took him to the barracks.

- Radziwill has an army here? - The worst cut-throats in Venice.

- Where are the barracks? - Beyond the second canal.

If you don't mind my saying so, Sir, you're a fool!

That may be, my friend, but I'm also his superior officer.

Where are you going?

I neglected to mention… but I am also a fool.

It's like trying to open an oyster with my teeth!

- Any other entrances? - Not unguarded.

Haul away!

What were you doing here?

Excellency?

And why has this fine-looking young man been taken into custody?

At your orders, Excellency.

My orders? I don't even know the fellow.

Claims to be a fisherman.

Oh?

Well-shaven for a fisherman, isn't he?

A Russian fisherman, I see.

Fishing in Polish waters!

What for?

Let me hazard a guess. For a mermaid who might wear a crown?

You're going to write a message to Orloff that you've been taken.

One more chance. Are you going to write with or without persuasion?

I find you most… unpersuasive, Sir.

Alright, he's yours.

And I'll keep this cross.

It might serve to bring Orloff within range.

At your service, Radziwill!

Sergei!

After him, you fools!

Come back without him and I'll have your blood!

Jump!

Admiral coming aboard, Sir.

Attention!

I can think of moments better suited to receiving the ambassador.

Did you gentlemen have a pleasant morning swim?

Water's on the chilly side, but invigorating.

Your Excellency, Count Orloff, who's been entrusted with the most delicate mission.

You understand, Count Orloff,

I have not been appraised of the, uh, nature of this… delicate mission of yours.

- I trust that it will involve no violence. - I hope not, Excellency.

Tonight is Carnival Night

and everyone of any importance will be at the Doge's Ball.

The Venetians would deeply resent any, uh…

shall we say… 'incident'?

Yes, Excellency, let's say "incident."

But I give you my word that tonight I shall occupy myself solely

with the innocent pleasures of the Carnival.

Now, Your Excellency, if you'll excuse us. I've a word to say to Count Orloff.

- In private. - Certainly.

You're looking very self-satisfied, Korsakov. Your news must be unpleasant.

I'm merely bringing you instructions

from the Empress.

Inspired by you, I've no doubt.

Your absence did give me the opportunity to gain Her Majesty's ear, it's true.

About what?

I believe, and Her Majesty agrees with me,

that Tarakanova is of more use to us alive than dead.

She is to be brought back to Russia

without so much as a hair on her head out of place.

- Am I permitted to know why? - She must be alive.

In order to force her to admit publicly

that her claims were based on falsehood.

Your methods of making her renounce her claims must be interesting, I'm sure.

This is a detail which need not bother you, Count Orloff.

There is a detail which does bother me.

You've been sent here to watch me.

Let's say, rather…

to advise you.

Now, let's get something straight.

I'll bring Tarakanova back to Russia alive

but I want no assistance and no interference from you.

Do I make myself clear?

As usual, very clear, Count Orloff.

But I also have had my instructions

from the Empress.

And I plan to carry them out.

I hope I make myself clear.

- Have you anything further to say? - Not at the moment.

Then, I don't think the ambassador should be kept waiting.

Good day, General Korsakov.

Double the guards at all entrances.

Post two sentries at the door to Her Majesty's quarters.

What are the poor, young men to guard, Prince Radziwill? My hopes?

Your Majesty, there was a most unfortunate occurrence

this morning precipitated by the man Orloff.

We may expect trouble where we are least able to defend ourselves.

Everybody in Venice knows you are to be at the Doge's reception tonight.

Then, why are they guarding my bedroom?

Orloff's a madman, capable of the most fool-hearted behaviour.

Captain.

Regretfully, but with your permission, Your Majesty,

I've changed our plans.

Am I to understand that…

because Orloff has arrived in Venice…

I am to be shut in my room like a schoolgirl?

My apologies, Madam. And my respect, with sympathy.

I shall convey your regrets to the Doge and the Turkish ambassador.

Your Majesty.

I just got dressed… to get undressed.

- That's funny, isn't it? - Yes, Madam.

That's a pretty dress. Why aren't you at the Carnival?

It's because of Guido, Majesty. He's been put on extra guard duty.

Who's Guido?

Is he the one with the magnificent moustache?

Yes, Madam.

Just because he's on guard duty, you have to stay at your post?

Yes, Madam. He said he'd box my ears if I went alone.

That is a pretty dress!

Thank you, Madam.

- Where is Guido posted, Silvana? - At the main entrance, Madam.

Then, if you went out the back gate,

he'd never know you'd gone to the Carnival, would he?

I wouldn't like to deceive--

You will change your mind in time!

Let me see how I look in this dress, huh?

You didn't make the ambassador any promises. Good luck!

Help!

Help!

Behind you!

How can I ever thank you?

I can think of a quite delightful reward.

Oh! You-- you are impertinent, Sir!

But very honest, Madam.

Excuse me! Excuse me!

A-- are you so gentlemanly that you want to offer to escort me home?

I'll take the reward first, if you don't mind.

Oh, no!

There. That wasn't so bad, was it?

Help me! Help me!

Move, you're blocking my view.

One, two…

I must say, you eat with enormous enthusiasm!

I-- I never had this kind of sweet before, I…

- You're not feeling, uh-- - Oh, no! I… I was just thinking.

What were you thinking? More sweets?

I was just thinking that there are so many things I haven't seen before.

I'd never seen a marionette show until now, you know?

I gathered that.

How could your parents let you out alone on Carnival night?

My parents are dead and…

- I live with good friends. - How did your friends let you out alone?

They didn't! They don't know I'm out.

What did you do? Leave a bolster in the bed?

Oh, I didn't think of it!

Not even experienced at running away, are you?

Well, I-- I never did it before.

Tomorrow night, leave a bolster.

Lengthwise, not crosswise.

Where shall we go tomorrow night?

- I don't think we can meet again. - Why not?

Do you know, I-- I don't even know your name.

It's Alexei.

Oh… that's a nice name.

Where I come from, it's usual to make a fair exchange.

- My name? - You do have one, don't you?

It's a very ordinary name.

I don't believe it.

It's Elizabeth.

Elizabeth?

Oh, it's a lovely name.

A lot of people have it.

Yes, but they don't wear it the way you do.

I wonder if you are what you seem to be.

I think so…

You have a kind of beauty I've never seen before.

- Tomorrow night, we'll take a gondola. - Oh, Alexei!

I've been trying to tell you that I can't!

- You must! - No, I cannot come out.

My friends won't like it.

Then, I'll present myself and ask permission.

Oh, no, you cannot! It's impossible!

- You sound afraid. - Oh… oh, no, I-- I am not afraid.

- Just, uh… - You are afraid! Why?

You're married! No…

No, you couldn't be married.

- You're promised in marriage! - No, Alexei, I am not.

Then, I'll present myself to your friends tomorrow.

That's what I thought.

You've never seen a marionette show before tonight?

And you've never been kissed before tonight, have you, Elizabeth?

I have to leave now.

- Very well. - No, but I must leave alone.

Why? Besides, I've collected a reward for a service.

It would be dishonest to allow you to go alone.

I'll take back the reward.

And the Doge was most understanding about your inability to attend.

You're not listening, Your Majesty.

I'm afraid I wasn't.

I had hoped, Majesty,

that tonight's entertainment might serve to lessen your disappointment

at being prevented from attending the Doge's reception.

I was quite happy, Prince Radziwill.

With all Venice at the Carnival, you were "quite happy?"

Quite happy.

Powder on your coat.

I just want to know where you've been.

They're Russian!

You mean, you don't know who it is?

- No… - That is Count Orloff.

There she is.

Well!

Surely, nothing can happen here!

Majesty, the streets and canals of Venice are narrow

and provide excellent opportunities for the skilled marksmen.

With your permission, Your Majesty.

My men will see that Count Orloff does not return

to his ship this evening without at least a serious accident.

Forgive me, Your Majesty, but Orloff must be disposed of.

Please be good enough to fetch me a restorative.

- She is beautiful, Alexei. - Isn't she?

Ismael.

Let me present you.

"Leave by the side entrance immediately."

"Meet me in the square where we saw the marionette show."

- "I must see you. Elizabeth." - Stop reading what was meant for my eyes!

Your Majesty.

Long live Elizabeth!

Well, it's certainly a direct approach:

"Meet me at the marionette show to have your throat cut!"

- You go to the White Lion and wait for me. - But it's a trap!

You may be right, but I don't think so. Anyway, I'm going.

- Alexei! - And alone.

Stop squirming! I'm not going to hurt you!

Who sent you?

You followed me. Why?

I was told to, Sir.

By the Princess?

I was to watch and be sure you were safe, Sir.

Radziwill's men?

If they weren't, they were trained in the same school.

- Where's Andrei? - Dead.

It was an ambush. Andrei was in the lead and got the first bullet.

If she hadn't sent you that note, it would have been you.

What happened to you?

I kept my appointment.

There was no one there except this one.

I must see your mistress. Where does she go during the day?

Nowhere, Sir.

Doesn't she go to her dressmaker?

Coiffeur? Music lesson?

No, Sir. Everything comes to her. Except church.

"Church," eh? What church?

The Santa Maria, Sir.

- Which mass? - Five o'clock, Sir.

Give this boy some supper.

Alexei!

I had prayed…

we might never meet again.

Can't you see that that would be impossible?

You saved my life last night.

Why?

I didn't want you to walk into a trap.

Yet, you knew who I was. Alexei Orloff.

Your enemy.

I do not want even my enemies to die by an assassin's bullet.

Elizabeth, listen to me.

I'm in love with you. I should have told you that night at the Carnival.

I love you, Elizabeth.

I won't let you run away again.

Please.

You know what stands between us.

Imagine it can be torn down with words.

No, not with words.

There are other ways. You proved that last night.

This isn't a place in which we dare lie to each other.

You must feel as I do. Say it, Elizabeth.

Yes, I love you.

I do love you.

But now that you have heard it, how does it change anything?

You are Count Orloff.

How many of my followers,

men who have fought my cause, have died at your hands?

Because I thought that they served a… an upstart adventuress.

- I didn't know-- - What didn't you know?

That I would fall in love with her.

Oh, Alexei. We must forget each other.

You cannot change what stands between us.

You could never defeat Catherine of Russia. She'll destroy you!

She's powerful, ruthless! You could never succeed, never!

Radziwill is only using you to satisfy his own ambition.

Your cause is hopeless!

But there are many who do not believe that. I will not fail them.

I must go on.

Even though it means unnecessary bloodshed?

I cannot give up what I believe to be right.

Is it nothing to you that I love you, and that you love me?

Oh, it is everything.

And I will love you until the end of my life.

But I have no choice.

You would force me to be your enemy?

Yes, Alexei.

If we meet again…

it will be as enemies.

- What are we going to do? - Nothing.

- But you-- - Nothing, I said!

We're going to do nothing.

You seem in low spirits, Madam.

There have been times…

when I was happier, Loredana.

Could it be that news of Count Orloff is responsible?

I saw your face as you spoke to him in the church.

Have you told Prince Radziwill?

No.

Why?

I know what it means to be in love, Your Majesty.

His Excellency Count Orloff.

I will not say it's a pleasure to see you, Count Orloff,

but I will say it's unusual.

I don't like you well enough to pay you friendly calls, General Korsakov.

I felt bound to report to the Empress

that for the past two days you've been completely… inactive.

I saved you the trouble of further spying. I'm bringing you some news direct

which I'm sure will make you very, very happy.

I don't know why, but I doubt that.

I'm resigning from the mission entrusted to me by the Empress.

Resigning?

I sail tomorrow for Russia without Elizabeth Tarakanova.

Explain yourself, Sir.

I said I'd bring you some good news. I didn't say I'd explain it.

I'll explain my actions to Her Majesty on my return to court.

If you can, my friend.

His Highness Prince Radziwill.

- Good morning, Prince Radziwill. - Your Majesty.

You see here a document which starts us on the road to the throne of Russia.

The Turkish Treaty!

At last! The first step towards our goal.

I need your signature, Madam.

Sign it, and the Turks will go to war with Catherine on your behalf.

Just here, if you please.

There is no need to read it.

- The terms are most reasonable. - I'm sure they are.

You must not underestimate the risk Turkey is taking, Majesty.

But this is infamous, Prince Radziwill!

You can't possibly expect me to sign it!

Then, you can't possibly expect to be Empress.

Did you seriously think that I'd give over areas of my country to foreign rule?

Did you expect Turkey to go to war for love of you?

Don't be childish.

It's childish of me, perhaps…

to have thought your aim was the same as mine.

Now, you ask me to exchange the pressure of Catherine for a worse one!

Your Majesty fails to understand the necessities of statecraft.

I understand perfectly, Sir.

I do not bargain with the lives of human beings.

I've worked long and hard for this treaty, Madam.

You have worked long and hard,

for your own interest, Sir.

Not for me, and not for the people I had hoped to serve.

Do you imagine that I've spent time, money,

and infinite trouble on this project,

only to walk out of here meekly at a wave of your imperialist little hand?

- Please, leave me! - You will sign.

How do you plan to make me sign?

By the simple expedient of signing it myself.

This is forgery, Prince Radziwill!

It will match the other forgeries

I've been forced by your obstinacy to perpetrate, Madam.

Congratulations, Your Majesty.

Loredana, you must help me.

I have no one else to turn to.

Can you find a way to get this note to Count Orloff?

There's a way to do anything, Madam.

I am trusting you… with my life.

Is this for sale?

- Consider it a gift. - A "gift?"

Try as I may, I cannot fathom the reason for your generosity.

I have my own, personal reasons, General Korsakov.

Hm…

I will see that it reaches Count Orloff's hands.

Good day.

Go quickly. To the cloister of San Francesco.

The gondola is waiting.

Thank you, Loredana.

I have come…

to surrender to you, Alexei.

What has happened, Elizabeth?

Yesterday, we were to meet as enemies.

Radziwill has forged my signature for the treaty.

You were right, all this time

he has used me only for his own ambition.

Alexei…

- I'm ready to go back with you. - To Russia?

You don't know what you're saying!

Do you think Catherine will open motherly arms to you?

But if I renounce my claim to her throne?

She'd still have you whipped for your presumption.

Then, tortured for information about your friends.

And finally, executed for treason. No, my love!

I'll never let you go back.

Your Empress charged you with a mission.

Are you forgetting that?

Did you think I could ever have carried it out?

It would have meant handing you over to Catherine.

I resigned that mission today.

Then…

you were going back to Russia against orders.

- Without me? - Yes.

Your love for me may cost you your life.

Catherine will never forgive you.

You forget. She'll never know I met you.

- I could have made you my prisoner. - But you are leaving?

I'll find an excuse for my return.

Don't worry about my safety, that's unimportant.

If you love me, you'll give me no cause to worry about you.

I will do anything you ask.

You must leave Venice tonight for Milan.

I have friends there who will take you to Paris,

put you under protection of the French court.

You must announce that you've given up your claims to the throne of Russia.

And… you, Alexei?

I shall go back to the Empress,

tell her that you make no further claims on her throne,

then, beg for leave of absence from her court.

She'll never grant it!

With or without her permission, I'll find my way to you in Paris.

But Alexei…

- You cannot give up your country-- - Yes, I can.

Now that you're willing to give up being an Empress

and be a woman.

I never wanted to be Empress.

I thought it was my duty.

This is your duty.

I'll take care of the rest.

We must go at once.

Count Orloff, we come as friends.

To take you and your prisoner back to your ship.

Alright, come and get her!

Alexei!

No! I want him alive.

Count Orloff, a traitor?

That indeed will surprise the Empress.

This will ease the pain, should it get worse.

He's mending well, Sir.

- Finished? - Yes, Sir.

I have a few questions for Count Orloff.

He's in no condition to be questioned, General Korsakov.

Nonsense!

He has a hole in his chest, not in his head!

You'd been in Venice for three days, Count Orloff.

You failed to inform that you'd made the acquaintance of Tarakanova.

That she sent you a note asking for a meeting.

Where and how did you meet?

May I remind you I'm preparing a report for the Empress?

General Korsakov. You've just heard the doctor say

the patient is in no condition to be questioned.

Are you a part of this conspiracy of evasion?

Should I put that in my report too?

I have no control over what you put in your report, Sir.

But as captain of this ship, I must insist that Admiral Orloff,

prisoner or not,

be given every consideration due to his rank and condition of health.

I assume you're willing to repeat this insolence

without modification when we reach land, Captain.

I do not accept the term 'insolence', General Korsakov.

I am within my rights present and that suffices.

If you please, Sir.

- How is she? - Well.

And anxious for news of you.

You must put her ashore.

No, I can't do that, Alexei.

I suppose I shouldn't have asked that.

Sorry.

I've made a terrible mess of this.

I must see her.

You could do that, couldn't you?

Yes.

I think I can arrange that.

- Stay by the door, Vasska. - Yes, Sir.

You're trembling.

Only at seeing you.

Is there much pain?

Less, now you're here.

I love you.

We haven't even had time to get to know each other.

Oh, darling.

If only we'd left earlier that night.

Let's not talk about that night.

Before I let them take you, I should have killed you.

Could you have?

I don't know.

I should never have seen you again.

This way… we have a few moments.

You know what may happen to you in Russia.

Yes.

Wherever you are, whatever they do…

I'll be there. Remember that.

I'll remember.

- It won't be easy. - No, Alexei.

There's something else. Listen carefully, your life may depend on it.

I'm listening.

You'll be questioned about me. They'll want to know how we met,

what happened between us.

- That's easy to say-- - You mustn't say it!

- You must hate me! - Hate you?

Because I am the man who betrayed you.

I, and I alone. I'm responsible for your capture.

I tricked you at the cloister, where they took you.

No matter how they try to trap you into any admission of the truth…

remember, your life will be hanging on this.

- Now… say it, Elizabeth. - Say what?

I want to hear you say, "I hate you!"

I… I hate you…

I hate you…

with all my heart.

And then, having resigned his mission,

he fought valiantly in her defence.

The night they took them.

I admire you, Korsakov.

They, Your Majesty, is the greatest reward I could have.

I have always admired single-track minds.

Your sole mission in life seems to be to discredit Orloff.

Don't you ever weary of it?

But Madam…

Your Majesty,

the evidence speaks clearly for itself.

The evidence as presented by you in the Crimea

spoke for itself, if you will remember.

- Where is he? - Under close arrest at his palace, Madam.

That must have given you limitless satisfaction.

- And the woman? - The Kreuzberg Fortress.

Good.

She requests an audience, Your Majesty.

I have no wish to listen to her presumptions to my throne.

Her claims are ridiculous, Your Majesty.

She bears no resemblance to the Empress Elizabeth.

Her face is more… fragile,

more delicate.

Her likeness in the proclamation was hardly appealing.

A clumsy piece of work, Your Majesty.

She had none of her youth… her grace.

And Orloff?

Has he asked for an audience?

No, Madam.

Very well, Korsakov.

Your report has been most comprehensive.

See that Count Orloff is comfortable.

Within reason.

Oh, I'd forgotten.

I… I found this in the desk.

In Count Orloff's cabin on the Patria, Your Majesty.

It seems to me it is too valuable

to lie around, uncared for.

Korsakov?

- Madam? - I've changed my mind.

I will see Tarakanova.

Your Majesty.

We must find you another dress.

One that is more suitable to a cobbler's daughter.

Is that what you intend to tell the people?

It's a good, honest trade. It will make a good, honest story.

Whatever you tell your people, they'll learn the truth in time.

You persist in believing that fabrication about your birth.

Madam,

I willingly, even gladly

renounce my claim to the throne.

But I cannot and will not deny that I am the daughter of Empress Elizabeth.

Are you aware of what your obstinacy may bring upon you?

This prison employs the most telling methods of education.

I imagine they're necessary under your regime.

You insolent little fool.

- What if I send you to the scaffold? - That will not prove me wrong.

No, you're right.

Orloff warned me it would be useless to talk to you.

- Alexei warned you? - "Alexei?"

Your acquaintance developed the use of his first name?

You would prefer that I call him "Count Orloff?"

Don't answer my questions with questions, girl.

Yes, Your Majesty. I called him "Alexei."

And tenderly, I see.

Do you suppose Orloff takes his romantic adventures seriously?

I know really little of his romantic adventures, Your Majesty.

I only know that I believe in him and in everything he does.

You little fool.

You're in love with him?

I am, Madam.

And, uh…

you fancy him in love with you?

I told you you were a fool.

I didn't realize how great a fool.

The Empress!

If I've ever been eloquent, it must be now!

Vasska, listen to every word!

If I fail, go immediately to Captain Nikolsky. He has instructions.

Good luck, Sir.

Wait here.

I've come to offer my apologies, Alexei.

Majesty, for what could you possibly apologize?

For putting you under house arrest.

I wonder that Korsakov dared.

But then, he's always been over-zealous.

I've always found that he did his duty, as he saw it. He lacks subtlety.

His blundering methods in Venice might have cost us dearly.

Really?

He gave me a very confused report about your methods.

If you remember, Madam, you warned me against an incident.

Therefore, my only recourse was to ingratiate myself with Tarakanova.

And you're so practised at it, Alexei.

With this one, there was no need for practice.

She's young, simple!

Almost, I'd say, a simpleton.

They tell me she's quite lovely.

Well, I-- I suppose she might be. In an insipid sort of way.

Inexperience never did appeal to you, did it?

I find it tiring, Madam.

Has it been gay at court?

It has been bearable.

- Venice? - A beautiful city, Madam.

No diversions?

None?

May-haps. One or two.

It will be good to see you back in court, Alexei.

I've missed you.

May I present myself this evening?

You are expected to, Count Orloff.

Am I to lose your presence so soon, Madam?

I suppose affairs of state are pressing.

This Tarakanova matter…

That is settled.

But of course, it's settled. I should have known

that if she were to give up her claims to your throne, you would be generous.

I've always been generous.

Haven't I, Alexei?

She can do you no harm in exile, Madam.

She can do me no harm dead, either.

She dies tomorrow.

I shall expect you tonight, Alexei.

Catherine!

Majesty.

Grant me a request.

Don't make it, Orloff.

Madam!

I fought for you.

My sword and my heart have been yours to command.

A request.

Make it, then, if you must.

Let it be me, Madam.

Let me die instead.

Korsakov!

Your Majesty?

Transfer Count Orloff to the Kreuzberg.

He is to be executed tomorrow.

With Elizabeth Tarakanova.

Before she dies tomorrow morning,

I want a full withdrawal of all her claims,

both this to the throne and to her parentage.

You will leave now and convey my orders to the Governor of Kreuzberg.

Count Orloff will follow under guard.

Let down the rail.

Guard dismount.

Be ready to jump.

Thank you, Sergei, Ivan.

All of you.

You'll find your ferry five leagues down the river.

Thank you, Captain Bogany. Well done, Sergei.

- They all know what to do? - Every one.

Good, we haven't much time.

I fear we may have unpleasant news.

"By order of Her Imperial Majesty Catherine, Empress of all the Russias,

"Elizabeth Tarakanova is to be executed

"on the charge of treason, at dawn,

on the twelfth day of June, 1775."

This was a most unpleasant duty, Madam.

You are free of blame, Sir.

- May I see a priest? - In good time, Madam.

There's another confession to be made.

The Empress requires that you should sign this confession,

admitting that the story of your parentage

was fabricated by Prince Radziwill.

I cannot do that, General Korsakov.

There are ways of persuading you,

and I've been instructed to make full use of them.

I tell you I will not sign it.

If you sign this, your execution will be swift and honourable.

If not…

My mother was the Empress Elizabeth.

And my father, the Prince Radzimowski.

Nothing you can do will make me deny that.

Captain Kharanin reporting, with Count Orloff as prisoner.

Madam, I've exhausted my powers of persuasion.

I think you'll find it easy to acquire humbler parents before dawn.

Madam.

Captain Kharanin reporting, with Count Orloff as prisoner.

I will take charge of the prisoner, Captain.

Orderly, conduct the Captain and his men to the barracks.

Take me to Princess Tarakanova's cell. Quickly!

- What have they done with her? - The torture chamber.

- Where? - This way.

Perhaps you're already persuaded?

- Now, where? - Down there.

Get rid of him.

You have one more chance to sign it.

Guard!

Guard! No!