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 Italy. While there, he meets a beautiful young woman, Elizabeth, supposedly the granddaughter of Peter the Great, who has aspirations for the Russian crown. In an attempt to win back Catherine's affection, Orlov reveals Elizabeth's plans, setting in motion a series of events that lead to an unimaginable end.
