Source:
The Life and Tragedy of Alexandra Feodorovna by Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden, 1928
The letter:
Yesterday was a baise-main for all the ladies; it was rather amusing, especially seeing those I knew in 1889, but when Madame Narischkine, Papa's friend, whom we also saw at Illynskoe and who was photoed on the group came — I could scarcely swallow my tears, it made me think so awfully of him. The deputations from the whole country came twice last week, and were interesting in their different picturesque costumes. They brought most beautiful plates and images. Another day, three Tartar ladies came and brought me a costume. It was the first time their husbands allowed them to come from Orenburg. They need not be veiled before the Russian men, which is odd. …
My two ladies at present are Princess Galitsyn, sister of Madame Ozeroff at Frankfort (who will be, probably, appointed at Darmstadt instead of O. Sacken), then Countess Lamsdorff, the sister of Stuttgart Lamsdorff. They are both charming and I like them exceedingly. I see them rarely, they live in the Winter palace, Schneiderlein — my lectrice, now, please — too. She was 38 or 39 the other day. She comes every morning for a good lesson, and reads an hour to me before supper, whilst Nicky is occupied with papers; he has a fearful amount to do, so that we are scarcely ever to ourselves. …
The news from Georgie is good again, after he has had a bad cough again. End of February or beginning of March, this style here, he will go on the Derjava or Polar Star for a cruise — perhaps, he may pass Malta.
Do let me hear from you soon again, dear, as your dear letters are a great joy to me. I am sure fat little Georgie must be a great joy to you and now that he can walk more. The tiny frames are for Alice and Louise. No more to-day, else I shall bore you with this long rigmarole.
Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.
Above: Victoria.
No comments:
Post a Comment