One of the stories told about Catharine the Great, Empress of Russia, was that, when a gentleman caught her eye, she would have Countess Proskovya Bruce try him out first, resulting in Bruce’s becoming nicknamed “L'Eprouveuse” (“The Tester”). Some now think that this is just a story to discredit the famous Empress, but why would someone with “the Great” attached to their name want to be bothered with less than exemplary services? Such a practice wouldn’t discredit a man ruler, now would it? The Countess was probably just being helpful...and...well...being an in-your-face woman. Just like her mistress, Catharine the Great.
