When I told him that I needed the right jewelry to go with the gown I intended to wear to the theater Tuesday night, he insisted I go to Maitlev's and buy anything I wanted. Maitlev's was on the Nevsky Prospekt, the richest, most exclusive jeweler in St. Petersburg. Catherine herself frequently bought jewelry there, and all of her court patronized it. Any special purchase made there was soon gossiped about . in the marble corridors of the Winter Palace, and Orlov wanted people to know his "mistress" shopped there. "Buy the necklace, the earrings, the bracelets," he told me. "Diamonds, emeralds-anything you want. Orlov does not care what it costs." He insisted I take his carriage, and that presented a problem, but I had a private talk with Vanya and found a solution quickly enough. I was slightly nervous as I came downstairs in my sky blue silk gown and a hooded white ermine cloak. Instinct told me that if Orlov knew what I was planning he would be furious, would forbid me to go, and I prayed I could carry it through without his knowing.
