The Muscovite Crystal 1.3

Someone rang at the side door. AnneChristine, who was once again the Lady of the Castle and lived alone, went to the servants' entrance to open.
At the door she met no-one, although a letter lay on the ground. It was an impressive envelop with important-looking printing and even a wax seal. "The Grand Duke of Transsyldavia," was written on the underside. She went to the parlour and opened her letter.
She had great difficulty in reading the ornate handwriting of the Court Marshall of the Grand Duke. "It would greatly please the Grand Duke to meet the lady who returned the Muscovite Crystal to Transsyldavia after such a long period," she read.
The letter went on to disclose details of the journey to and from Transsyldavia, of a dinner that was due to take place and of a painting that was to be done in remembrance of her contribution to the recovery of the Glassware. A carriage in which she was to travel for ten days to Transsyldavia was due to arrive at Weezebeecke Castle early the following morning.
"Enthusiastic, he certainly is!" thought Anne-Christine and began at once to turn her thoughts to the coming events, for she had no intention of letting this opportunity slip through her fingers.
"How lucky I am not to have servants yet. That is one less problem," she thought.
The Castle was now in good shape after her efforts and all her clothes were cleaned and ironed. She considered what she might wear on her way to this unknown country. In the letter it was promised that she would receive new suitable robes in Transsyldavia.
"That's excellent, I dislike baggage", she thought as her mind wandered to the journey that lay before her.

The next morning, a well-sprung carriage entered the drive of Weezebeecke Castle. One of the two coachmen stepped down to ring at the door. Anne-Christine promptly came out, locked the door and tucked the key away between the clothes in her basket. She was sure she wouldn't need it for some weeks to come.
The coachman wanted to place her basket at the back of the carriage with the other luggage, but Anne-Christine objected.
"I should prefer to keep it with me. There is ample room on the seat in the coach," she said and the coachman nodded politely.
"Either he is dumb, or he only speaks Transsyldavian," she thought.
She didn't have much time to reflect upon this, for the wheels of the carriage went into motion with a brisk jerk. Anne-Christine couldn't stop herself from looking behind and thus did so until all that could be seen were the tops of the tallest trees that borded her drive. She then tried to resign herself to the thought of the long journey still to come.
After only a few hours the coach halted at an inn. Here, it was possible to refresh the horses and to eat and drink.
This scene was repeated several times during the day.
It was during these stops that Anne-Christine discovered that the coachmen spoke indeed no language other than their mother tongue. Although they spoke to one another and even sang melancholic songs during the long and dull stretches, they used only their hands to gesture at the inns and guesthouses.
That was one of the reasons why she had little contact with either of them, but she didn't mind. She listened to their duets of which she already had begun to learn some phrases and absorb the Transsyldavian atmosphere. She began also in their conversation to recognise certain words, such as "left" and "right", "inn" and "halt". She silently repeated these words in her head while enjoying the ever-changing landscape.
They followed a broad river for most of the day.
"There, at the horizon, it is much more lilly and rugged than at home," she thought.
At the end of the day, they left the valley and criss-crossed for hours up the hill. When they reached the summit at twilight, the coach halted.
"Well, never before in my life have I seen such a view," Anne-Christine whispered.
Far below, a number of villages were visible by their fires and lights. Fascinated by this view, she wasn't aware that the coachmen had already begun to unload. Only after they had opened the carriage door for her, did she see that they were directly in front of an inn, which appeared to be called "The Watershed". This she gathered from a colourful board which stood near the entrance.
The Watershed was a good place to be, as she was going to visit several more during the following days.
Towards the end of the journey, the landscape became poorer and so did the inns. However, the same could not be said for the people. They were good-humoured and heartily greeted the coachmen who seemed to cope better with the languages as the journey progressed.
Anne-Christine soon became aware that they tried to obtain the best room for her on every occasion. To persuade the inn-keepers they shook their purses harder. And the owner's expression never failed to light up after such a gesture.
Generally speaking, Anne-Christine had met quite comfortable conditions during the past ten days.
"Ten days? Then we must almost be at our destination," she thought occasionally, whilst trying to figure out whether she was already in Transsyldavia. They had passed innumerable borders, which made her no wiser, since she was never asked a single question after the coachmen had shown her letters of safe-conduct, signed by the Grand Duke.
Darkness had closed in and the coachmen did not seem to want to stop. In the moonlight, Anne-Christine could only catch a glimpse of what surrounded her. The landscape that had been rather rough for some time, became somewhat more appealing. Anne-Christine guessed that they might be in the vicinity of the Palace of which she had, throughout the entire voyage, tried to form an impression.
She had ended up with a spacious castle, "vaster than Weezebeecke, but nevertheless of the same form, with a broad drive lined with trees, in a flat part of the country." And she had been quite right in her prediction, judging by what could be seen after the carriage made a sharp turn left and entered a driveway, bordered with pinetrees.
Putting her head out of the window, she could see the dimensions of the Castle. It was a square building without ornamentation, with a tower at each corner. Behind those shutters which were open, she could see the crossbars of the windows.
"I would like to sleep in such a tower," she reflected, "the higher, the better. My own castle has only ornamental towers that are too small for even one bed."

It was the Court Marshall who received her . He spoke some charming words, but Anne-Christine was too tired to listen. As she stepped inside the Palace, she could not believe her eyes.
"I do not use in a whole year the number of candles that burn here during one evening. Everything shines, the floor, the walls, the broad stairs and even the people passing by," she thought.
"You must suffer from fatigue after such a long voyage. Do you care for a drink?" the Court Marshall asked and Anne answered with just a short "yes, please."
"It is late now. We had expected you somewhat earlier, but you will get a quiet room, so you will have a good night's sleep."
"I was hoping to sleep in one of the towers of the Palace," she confessed.
"Well, that desire is easy to fulfill as here in Transsyldavia, we keep our treasures always in a tower. You will even sleep in the very same tower that the Muscovite Crystal is kept in. That seemed to us the best guarded place for you to be and, of course, a symbolic place. You know, we Transsyldavians measure our esteem also by the physical height. The more value something has, the higher we place it, so you will have the highest room in the tower, even higher than the Glassware."
"What a great honour," said Anne-Christine, who was glad to be able to find some words.
"And you will have your own servant. That is our Alexej, who will serve your drink in a short while. You may ring him, if you are in need of anything. Unfortunately I have to leave you now, in order to tell the Grand Duke you have arrived safe and sound."
The Court Marshall made his bow and went to the Grand Duke.

"You will meet the Grand Duke today," said Alexej, while serving Anne-Christine her breakfast in her room, the next morning.
"That is something to look forward to," she yawned, for she wasn't quite awake.
"But before that, you will meet the artist who will paint you in the treasure room, together with the Muscovite Crystal. If you only knew how glad we Transsyldavians are, that the endless search of the Grand Duke was not in vain!"
"I am glad too, for Transsyldavia and for the considerable award that was handed out," replied Anne-Christine.
She jumped out of bed, slipped into her nightgown and began looking for her clothes.
"Not that dress, please," said Alexej when Anne-Christine picked up the clothes of her own choice, "You will receive the costume of a maid, a special choise for the painting."
"All right," said Anne-Christine and she looked to see what her breakfast was.
"Well, please go and fetch me my costume then. In the meantime I will have a little something."
"As you like, Lady Anne-Christine," said Alexej, whilst he bowed and disappeared.
Soon afterwards he returned with the clothes in his arms. Anne was still eating.
"Please show them to me, Alexej," she asked.
Alexej held the costume with his arms outstretched.
"They are, in fact, much too precious for a servant, but they will do," said Anne-Christine, "Especially those buttons at the back, they are not very practical. Could you assist me?"
"My pleasure, Mylady," said Alexej.
"Do you usually attend to female guests, Alexej?" asked Anne-Christine.
"Only the wife of the Ambassador of Herzegowina."
"But she was at least three times your age," he added to his words.
"And what are you trying to imply if I am younger? I presume you have no romantic ideas about me, do you? You can not permit such acts, I suppose," said Anne-Christine while she looked the young servant up and down.
"What would happen to you if I told the Grand Duke about your romantic thoughts?"
"Well... he... he would decapitate me in the inner yard of the Castle, I think, or maybe even worse," he stuttered, visably shaken.
"So it would be better to stay good friends with me," concluded a friendly, smiling Anne-Christine, who slowly began to open her nightgown, button after button.
Alexej didn't know where to look. His eyes darted between Anne-Christine and the window until she was fully undressed. He watched her walk to the bed and fall backwards into the fluff, with her eyes closed.
"Kneel for me, Alexej," she said, and Alexej fell on his knees immediately.
"Not that far away, you stupid servant. How do you think you can touch me from there?" she called, "and I am so eager this morning."
She spread her legs slowly and looked at his face which showed disbelief.
"Start to lick me, Alexej, and meanwhile I will tell you a short story."
The servant did not answer. He crawled between her legs to fulfill her demands.
"My dear Alexej," said Anne-Christine as if she were reading a letter, lying on her back, "You are young, just like me. We have a whole lifetime in front of us. I have reached a lot of goals during the past few weeks albeit not always in a decent way. Decent people stay poor, that is what I have learned and that is why I shall proceed with these plans of mine. I can make you rich too, if you will do exactly as I tell you, from now until my departure. I only ask you not to look too deeply, that is all I ask. Just don't be too nosy and forget everything you see. You don't have to be afraid of the Grand Duke. He will never know a thing. Tomorrow I will leave a small purse under my pillow for your kind assistance... Do tell me, Alexej, is the Grand Duke a handsome man?"
Alexej raised his head and looked at Anne-Christine.
"He is the ugliest man in the world and a bully as well. I have to warn you about him, as he sent for you only to fulfill his wicked desires."
"That thought was already in my mind, Alexej. I do know men by now, but thanks anyway. Please continue for a while."

"I have to stop now, Lady Anne-Christine, the artist will be waiting for you," said Alexej after a period of time that
Anne-Christine could not calculate.
"A good thing you thought of that, Alexej. I would have forgotten completely," she praised him as she sat upright.
"Please help me into my dress, as you promised," she asked, and she blinked as her eyes looked straight into the rising sun.
Alexej didn't just help her with her clothes, but also combed her hair and shaped it elegantly before she put on her lace bonnet. He showed her the way to the door and to the stairs that led down.
At the foot of the stairs stood an unknown short man, obviously waiting for her. He had a lot of luggage with him.
"This is the painter Borislov, the most gifted artist in our land," said Alexej.
Anne-Christine streched out her arm and offered her hand. Borislov kissed it without touching.
"I am most honoured to be allowed to paint the portrait of the greatest heroine of Transsyldavia," said the little bald artist.
Anne-Christine tried to hide her laughter.
"The pleasure is entirely mine, mister Borislov", she said acting as normally as she could.
"Please allow me to show you the way. There is one more staircase down to the treasure room."
"Certainly, Sir," said Anne-Christine who was suddenly anxious to see the Glassware again.
The painter carefully walked down the stairs, carrying a considerable amount of luggage. The stairs ended at a strong oakwood door that was guarded by two sentinels. Both saluted when Borislov and Anne-Christine reached the lowest step. At once, one of them began opening the door with a large key.
"I will go in first, for there is no light inside. The candles are only lighted when there are visitors in the treasury, and that is very rarely," explained the sentry, as he stepped inside with a candelabrum in his hand.
From a distance, Anne-Christine saw how the room became brighter and brighter as more candles burned.
"You are invited to come in," said the watchman, having finished his work. "I will close the door behind you, as the rules of my master demand."
"I fully understand," said Borislov and he picked up the trunks that he had placed on the floor while waiting.
Anne-Christine stepped in first. She had to let her eyes adapt to the bright candlelight, for there were not only many candles burning, but their light was reflected thousandfold, in all the gold and silver treasures that were piled up in a disorderly array.
Next to a pile of Persian carpets stood the Muscovite Crystal on a small table, the only visible sign of care for this unique piece. Anne-Christine sprang forwards and lifted the decanter from the centre. She pressed it to her lips and replaced it the moment the door was locked.
"Now we are alone, I have to make you a proposition," said Borislov, as he looked expectantly but uncertainly at Anne-Chistine.
"What kind of a proposition is that, for which you have to be alone with me?" she asked slowly.
"Please don't misunderstand my meaning, Mylady. I offer you my proposition because you know the beauty and the value of the Muscovite Crystal like no one else does. You haven't met the Grand Duke yet, but you will have to admit very soon that it would be a lasting mistake to let such a barbarian remain the owner of this masterpiece."
"Would you risk your neck?" asked Anne-Christine frankly.
"Indeed I would, if it meant saving the noble and fine arts. I'll explain my plan right away. This trunk has a false and a real bottom and, at this very moment there is a replica of the Glassware in the space between them. When the painting is finished, I will exchange the Glassware. You will certainly notice it and I beg you not to betray me."
"It may cost my head too, if this trick is discovered," said Anne-Christine, who disliked the plan from the very start. "And I do not intend to participate at all."
"It is a risk, I do agree with that, but I appeal to you in the name of art."
"You've only known me for a couple of minutes, mister Borislov. You are indeed courageous to take me into your confidence regarding your reckless plan, but the name of art means nothing to me unless I personally gain something from it. You'd better get this audacious plan out of your head as soon as possible and start the work we came for."
"But.... that's impossible..... I'll never get a chance like this," he stuttered, utterly shaken, "This piece of art leaves this Castle, in one way or another."
"You may not count on my co-operation. Not at all," declared Anne-Christine, who was becoming annoyed. "Please put down your things, so that we can begin".
A little confused, Borislov began to unpack his valises, filled with artist's tools.
The posing process took hours and hours and the sound of the key, turning in the lock, was therefore a welcome surprise.
"The Grand Duke of Transsyldavia," the sentinel solemnly called and a man entered the treasury.
Anne-Christine couldn't see his face right away and, because of his rich garment, it wasn't easy to notice whether he was slim or portly. But, once inside, his ugly face predicted the worst. He walked straight to the canvas on which Borislov had sketched various outlines.
"You are certainly not the swiftest painter in the world, are you?" asked the Grand Duke sarcastically. "Are you sure it will be finished by tonight?"
"I shall fulfill your wish, Your Majesty", said Borislov without enthusiasm.
"Well, my pretty lady, I come to invite you to spend the rest of the afternoon with me and to have dinner this evening."
"What an overwhelming honour, Your Majesty," said Anne-Christine who made a modest curtsey, spreading her dress at either side.
"Let us go. Borislov, put down your brushes and return tonight at about eight o'clock."
With enormous steps, the Grand Duke paced to the exit with the others following as closely as was possible. Without stopping, the Grand Duke climbed the stairs and made his way through a number of corridors. Anne Christine tried to keep up with him and soon the artist was out of sight. She didn't mind as he was free for a few hours anyway.

"Entrez, Madame," said the Grand Duke as he halted at a richly-carved door and held it open for her. Anne-Christine entered and discovered that there was no furniture in this room. The entire floor was covered with pillows and carpets.
"There is nobody here yet, but we'll fix that. Just sit down."
Anne seated herself on one of the pillows and the Grand Duke sat down close to her. He clapped his hands and from doors on both sides of the room musicians came in. They had string and wind instruments which Anne-Christine had never seen before. They formed a circle around the Grand Duke and began to play.
"The dancers!" called the Grand Duke, "what's keeping them?"
And in came a dozen of male and female dancers some dressed and some naked. They stepped into the circle and began to move to the slow tune. The Grand Duke drew Anne-Christine close to him and she put her head on his shoulder.
"Let Tanya come over here," the Grand Duke shouted and one of the dancers came towards him and Anne-Christine.
"How do you like her?" he asked Anne-Christine.
"She is very pretty indeed, Sire," she said of the little dancer, who wore nothing at all.
The Grand Duke smiled and began to unbutton his pants and Tanya knew what to do. After he let himself fall backwards, pulling Anne-Christine with him, Tanya slowly lowered herself on top of him and began to ride as if on horseback.
"That's what you may do tonight," said the Grand Duke, who held Anne-Christine's face close to his. On his breath she could smell liquor and decay and he smiled cunningly, revealing his missing teeth, well aware that she could refuse him nothing. When he put out his tongue she could only permit it to penetrate her mouth. So they lay in each others arms, while Tanya gave him endless pleasure.
"It does give you pleasure, doesn't it?" the Grand Duke asked to Anne after a while.
"Certainly Sir, but I do have some sorrow that I would like to share with you. They are preparing a plot to steal your Glassware," Anne said rapidly.
The sovereign shivered.
"Is this true?" he asked. "I am not a man you can fool, you know."
"If you let someone fetch both Borislov's valises from the treasury, then I'll prove that I am quite right," said Anne-Christine as she wriggled out of his arms.
"All right, then. Andrey and Philic, go to the treasure room and ask the sentries to search in the valises of that artist," he ordered two of the dancers.
"I am anxious to know if you are telling me the truth, my dear lady," said the sovereign, pulling Tanya closer to him. Without taking further notice of Anne-Christine, he abused the dancer, who seemed to be pleased by the rough games he played with her.
He threw her aside when a watchman appeared, holding a trunk in one hand and a piece of the Muscovite Crystal in the other.
"I think you were right, after all," said the Grand Duke, "There is something strange about it."
"There is a secret hiding place with a replica of the Glassware in it, Your Majesty," said the soldier.
"I know that," replied the sovereign angrily. "Take back those things and place them just as you found them. Tonight I'll show that quaint little artist the might and power of a Transsyldavian sovereign. I will join you in the treasury, but do not mention it to anybody," he whispered in Anne-Christine's ear before he strode away very angrily.
Anne-Christine was left alone and she told the musicians, who had stopped, to continue.
"Andrey, undress and come close to me," she ordered the young and elegant dancer. "And you too, Philic. And you all must make love to one another," she cried triumphantly to the other dancers, who obediently stripped off their scanty costumes and stretched themselves out near to her. Anne-Christine started to caress the bodies of her two dancers whilst enjoying the sight of the other dancers being forced to love one another. The musicians continued to play and time went on.
"The Grand Duke awaits you at dinner," said Alexej, seeing Anne-Christine in an intimate position.
"That's all right," she said, "I'll come." And she fled from the arms of her companion and refitted her dress, apron and bonnet, until she looked almost decent again.
"For dinner the Grand Duke has chosen for you a gown stitched with jewels," the servant told her.
"You may assist me again while I'm dressing", answered Anne-Christine, on her way to her chamber in the tower with Alexej.
"Could you provide me with a rope and a potion that makes one fall asleep, Alexej?" she asked after they had reached her room.
"Do you sleep badly?" he asked anxiously.
"You shouldn't ask too many questions. Can you or can't you?"
"Why of course, I can take care of those things."
"Well, go and fetch them then. I'll dress myself this time," she said as her eye fell upon the robe that was waiting for her.
It was a difficult task for her to remove her servants costume, and it was some time later before she had slipped into her valuable clothing.
"It has a very deep dé0colleté", she thought. "I hope it will hold for the entire evening."
She glanced in the mirror and saw how her body looked in the slim-cut gown. She was satisfied and turned her attention to the heavy collier, when Alexej showed up with a bottle and a rope in his hands.
"Put the elixer in my perfume bottle so I can keep it with me," she said, following him with her eyes in the mirror.
After he had done this, she said:
"And now you must leave this room for a short while. It is better that you don't see what I am about to do. Nobody has seen you carrying these articles, I hope?"
"I took care of that, mylady," said Alexej. He turned around and walked out of the room.
After less than a minute Anne-Christine reappeared. Together they went to the dinner that the Grand Duke had arranged for her.
The sovereign was already at the table and had even started eating before Anne-Christine entered.
"You look pretty, I can hardly wait. But first we must eat. Dinner has already been served."
He lifted the lids of the terrines to reveal a plentiful amount of venison. The Grand Duke took a pheasant and started to tear it apart with his few teeth, growling and smacking, whilst placing his elbow in a dish of soup, without realizing what he was doing.
His guest preferred to begin with some crispy meat, and tried hard to crunch as well as she could. More than half of the white wine she drank found its way down her front.
"Nice, hey?" asked the sovereign, looking with pleasure at the scene before him.
"I don't like it without sauce," said Anne-Christine diving her right hand into the sauce dish.
The sauce splattered over the table and onto her valuable gown before she could lick the remains off her hand. She shook off what was left and peeped under three lids, choosing a chicken covered with grease.
"Oh, they are good," said the sovereign contentedly.
Anne put her teeth in the animal and ripped off a large piece of meat, which she slowly chewed whilst gazing at her companion. The latter filled his mouth to its utmost capacity with truffles, most of which came out again as he chewed.
"What is it you intend to do with me tonight?" asked Anne-Christine.
"I'll see," grumbled the sovereign, "If you are a virgin now, you certainly won't be tomorrow."
"My body is yours as long as I stay here," she said.
"Oh, is that so?" asked the Grand Duke between two sips of wine, "Then I want you to smear the pastry in your hair."
Without hesitation Anne-Christine grabbed the plate and tossed it upside down over her head. They both burst into laughter.
"Oh, you're the woman of my heart," said the Grand Duke, "I'll miss you after you leave me tomorrow morning."
"I feel the same way," said Anne-Christine, putting another bottle of wine to her lips.
"Maybe you will be my wife some day," said the sovereign, fascinated by the wine that streamed off her chin into her gown. "But you will have to take a bath, before that painter can finish his last job."
"That was my plan anyway," said Anne-Christine.
She stood up with a friendly smile and went to her tower, where she found Alexej standing before her door.
"I definitely have to take a bath," she said to him and he showed her the way.
In the bathroom, she insisted that he stay with her.
"Oh Alexej," she said, "You can't imagine how I love all this. So many men and all do as I want. That alone makes me want to become a Grand Duches."
Alexej filled the bath while Anne-Christine worked her way out of the sticky gown.
"And of course the Glassware," she continued. "I want it back again, and I will do anything to gain it. But I don't want him to touch me with his filthy hands. It was no pleasure at all this afternoon. It disgusted me so much that I even betrayed poor Borislov to free myself from his embraces."
"You will find something," said the servant showing his confidence in her. "I bet you have taken certain measures already."
"You are clever, Alexej, and you have been a good and sweet assistant to me. Don't forget to collect your purse tomorrow, but only the moment the coach is out of sight and no sooner."
Anne-Chritine let herself slip into the relaxing warm water.

When Anne-Christine and Borislov met at the entrance to the treasure room, she knew that the Grand Duke had been in there for quite some time. Borislov entered without suspicion and artist and model resumed their work. Not until late evening was the work finished, albeit still wet.
"Now the time has come to change the Glassware and I pray that you don't betray me", said the nervous painter.
"That has already happened, my dear Borislov", said the Grand Duke, appearing from behind a giant chest.
Borislov's face grew suddenly pale.
"Just knock on the door to leave. The watchman knows what to do," were his last words to the artist. He then turned to Anne-Christine.
"He has a sorrowful journey before him," he said with a broad smile. "Enough of that, I want my pleasure again. There is plenty of wine. Start by filling a glass for the two of us, whilst I undress."
Anne-Christine chose two large chalices and filled them with her back to the sovereign.
"You allowed me to please you the way Tanya did this afternoon", said Anne-Christine, while she offered him one of the golden cups.
"First the wine, then the women. That's the way!" he shouted and emptied the cup of wine in one gulp. "Drink to my health and to this memorable night," he ordered and Anne-Christine also emptied her chalise in one gulp.
"I'll fill them up again and you can remove that idiotic servant costume," he said.
He stood up and walked towards the bottle.
Anne-Christine found it difficult to reach the buttons on her back. The undressing progressed slowly and the sovereign amused himself by watching her clumsy actions, whilst pouring the wine. She had undone only half the buttons when he let himself fall down onto the pillows again. Most of the wine ran out of his cup.
"The night is long and for once I do not feel impatient," the Grand Duke cheered in a jolly way.
After the last button was undone, Anne-Christine let her black dress slip down and showed her body for the first time to the naked sovereign. He slid down on the pillows and watched drowsily as she placed her hands on her neck and turned around coquettishly, showing herself from all sides. The last he remembered was when she slowly approached him and crawled upon him to make love.
At that moment he fell into a deep sleep. He didn't even awake when Anne noisily opened the rusted shutter of the single window and let fresh air fill the treasury room for the first time in many years.

The following morning, both were awakened by a watchman banging on the door.
"Your Majesty, it is time to rise. Someone is expecting you, Your Majesty", he called.
First, the Grand Duke awoke and let Anne-Christine slip out of his arms. He stepped into his clothes by the light of the few flickering candles that had survived the night. Anne-Christine opened her eyes more slowly.
"Hurry up, I have no time to waste. I am fully dressed and I can't wait for you any longer. Your own garment is upstairs so run up the stairs as fast as you can. The watchmen are accustomed to naked women in this castle."
Anne-Christine stood up slowly and stumbled to the door, following the Grand Duke. It was opened instantaneously to the brisk knock of the Grand Duke. Once outside, he hastily wished her a pleasant voyage before disapearing.
Still half asleep Anne-Christine arrived at her own door, where she found Alexej, loyally waiting for her.
"I'll go in first, Alexej. You may follow a few moments later, when I call you," she said to him.
After a short time, Anne-Christine called him in. Alexej gazed in admiration at the young woman standing fully undressed before him.
"Here is your rope. You have to use it in a few minutes," she said, while handing over the rolled rope.
Alexej accepted it with some surprise.
"How late will my coach depart?" she asked.
"In about an hour, Lady Anne-Christine", said the servant.
"That gives us plenty of time. I want you to give me twenty strokes with that rope. That is nothing compared to what poor Borislov will get. Do not spare me Alexej, because I went much too far this time."
Alexej took his knife and cut off two pieces. Anne-Christine had herself tied by her wrists to the bars of the bed in order to accept the punishment she had chosen for herself.

With great effort Anne-Christine succeeded in dressing herself afterwards. Her clothes hurt badly and only with a very straight back could she reach the coach that awaited her. After Alexej had helped her inside, he placed the basket next to her.
"Thank you for everything, Alexej," said Anne-Christine and at the same moment the coachman drew up his horses, which made her doubt whether Alexej had actually heard her words.
Only hours later, when she was several miles away from the palace, did she dare to open her basket to reassure herself that the real Muscovite Crystal and not Borislov's replica was in it.
"Stupid, very stupid, to give me the window immediately above the treasury window and how lucky that nobody saw my basket hanging there the whole night," she reflected.
She counted and recounted the glasses, before covering them again.
"They are mine once again, after all," she reassured herself. "But we are still a long way from Weezebeecke!"