Nicholas's letter to Alix, dated April 23/May 5, 1894

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 15 to 16, by George Hawkins, 2023

https://disk.yandex.com/mail?hash=kuDdHgzAhlj8Vmyce8roYrsV8lLetWtFFyElqTSKDCI%3D%3A

The letter:

April 23d 1894. Gatchina.

May 5th

№ 2.

My own sweet beloved darling Alix,

The moment I took the pen in my hand, your dear kind letter was brought in to me — coming from Darmstadt your "sweet home". Oh! how I love it now. Whenever I am free I am lying on the new map I bought at Coburg and look at the name of the place where my little girly-dear is living. How can I thank you enough my sweet one for that charming letter & little forget-me-not therein enclosed. Only my own darling ought not keep up too late in the night & especially not write letters in bed, it is too touching of you my dearest one.

Well! here I am at home again. We arrived yesterday 4.20 in the afternoon; fancy dear Papa & Mama came to the station & they seemed so happy. Of course I told them all what you wanted me to say and they gave in at once & said you would not have to abschwören the old belief, but that it would live with Ella. You don't know my darling how happy I felt that they understood your reason and that they consented at once; I am only too glad to be the first one who may comfort you by that. Everybody here is really touching, all the servants & people of the house come flying into my room & each has got a kind word to say. Oh! how happy I am to have taken such a lot of your dear photos, the writing table & cupboards are covered with them & wherever I look I see my sweet little girly-dear looking back at me, sometimes with a sly look, which makes me think of a certain house on the road from Coburg to Ketchendorf on the left!!!!

The weather is heavenly and we go out altogether walking twice a day. But there is no Rosenau to drive to in the afternoon. And now I love it so much, not because I am gone but because you used to pick flowers there with me. Now my sweet little one I must finish as it is time for luncheon. All send you their fondest love. But mine is the strongest & every blessing fr. yr. own Nicky

Above: Nicholas.

Above: Alix.

Note: abschwören = to renounce.