Catherine II twice taken out of the palace in the first days after the overthrow of Peter III

I love the French language for its elegance. How do you like this subtle, refined characterisation of Catherine the Great: "usurpatrice"?

It is known that in the first days after the overthrow of Peter III, Catherine II slept badly; she was even twice got out of bed and driven away from the palace, for fear that some loyal subjects had freed the lawful emperor and he would appear to exact retribution.

Alas, Catherine was woken in vain: the prisoner had not been freed.

And the usurpatrice in time became an empress and did not sleep at all, though for quite different reasons

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

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Catherine II twice taken out of the palace in the first days after the overthrow of Peter III

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

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