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The play is set in the second half of the 18th century during the reign of Catherine the Great. Count Alexey Orlov, who had once contributed to Catherine the Great’s rise to power, falls out of favor and is sent away in disgrace to lead the navy in Italy. While there, he meets a beautiful young woman named Elizabeth who has aspirations for the Russian crown. She claims to be the granddaughter of Peter the Great. In an attempt to win back Catherine's affection by uncovering Elizabeth's plans, Orlov begins an affair. However, what starts off as an innocent fling soon turns into something far more serious.