This was undoubtedly part of a deeply laid plot of which Frederick was cognizant, and working in concert with a certain distinguished lady in Elizabeth's own court--a clever puller of wires who was going to fill some important chapters in Russian history! The Empress had chosen for her successor her nephew Peter, son of her only sister and the Duke of Holstein.

The far-seeing Frederick had brought about a marriage between this youth and a German Princess, Sophia of Anhalt-Zerbst.

Then the Future Emperor Peter III.

and his German bride took up their abode in the palace at St.Petersburg, she having been rechristened _Catherine_, upon adopting the Greek faith.

A mutual dislike deepened into hatred between this brilliant, clever woman and her vulgar and inferior husband; and there is little doubt that the treacherous conduct of the Russian commander was part of a plan to place her infant son Paul upon the throne instead of his father, and make her Regent.