THE ORLOFF. 47
Not
content with the position of First Subject he aspired to that of
Master. Catharine, who seemed unable to refuse him anything, was
several times on the point of recognizing him officially as her
husband, and he had reason to suppose himself on the verge of grasping
the great prize of his ambition when it was snatched away.
In
1772, being then absent upon a mission to the Turks, Orloff's credit
with Catharine was utterly destroyed by his rival Potemkin. Hurrying
back in such desperate haste that he had not a coat for which to change
his traveling cloak, in hopes of repairing his evil fortunes, Orloff
was met by an order to travel abroad. It was thus that Catharine always
relieved herself of the presence of favorites whose company had become
irksome.
Orloff,
maddened with rage, set out on his travels and wandered all over the
north of Europe. It was during his exile that he heard of the wonderful
diamond that Khojeh Raphael had for sale. Knowing how fond Catharine
