Sun, Jan 11, 1959
In 1775, Tarakanova, a young lady of great beauty appeared in Pisa, claiming to be the daughter of the Tsarina Elizabeth, and therefore the granddaughter of Peter the Great. With the help of documents, she managed to win the confidence of Sir William Hamilton, the English ambassador, then that of the exiled Polish clergy and finally that of the Vatican. She believed in the love of Count Alexis Orloff, the brother of Catherine II's favorite, and thought that she could live happily and honorably in Russia. Who was Tarakanova then? Was she a mere adventuress or the daughter of a czarina?