Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 69.
Tsarskoje Selo, April 17-th 1915
My own sweetest One,
Bright, sunny but cold, lay an hour on the balkony & found it rather too fresh. — Yesterday Paul came to tea. He told me he had just received a letter from Marie, telling him about your talk in the train concerning Dmitri. So he sent for the boy last night and was going to have a serious talk with him. He is too greatly shocked at the way the boy goes on in town etc. —
In the evening at 8.20 there was this explosion — I send you Obolensky's paper. Now I have had telephoned to Sergei for news — one says 150 severely wounded — how many killed one cannot say, as one collects the bits — when the remaining people are assembled together, then they will know who is missing. Some parts in town & streets heard absolutely nothing — here some felt it very strongly, so that they thought it had occured at Tsarskoe. Thank God its not the powder-magazine as one at first had said. —
I had a long, dear letter fr. Erni — I will show it you upon your return. He says that "if there is someone who understands him (you) & knows what he is going through, it is me". He kisses you tenderly. He longs for a way out of this dilema, that someone ought to begin to make a bridge for discussion.
So he had an idea of quite privately sending a man of confidence to Stockholm, who should meet a gentleman sent by you (privately) that they could help disperse many momentary difficulties. He had this idea, as in Germany there is no real hatred against Russia. So he sent a gentleman to be there on the 28 — (that is 2 days ago & I only heard to-day) & can only spare him a week. So I at once wrote an answer (all through Daisy) & sent it the gentleman, telling him you are not yet back, so he better not wait — & that tho' one longs for peace, the time has not yet come. —
I wanted to get all done before you return, as I know it would be unpleasant for you.
W. knows of course absolutely nothing about this. — He says they stand as a firm wall in France, & that his friends tell him, in the North & Carpathians too. They think they have 500.000 of our prisoners. —
The whole letter is very dear & loving; — I was intensely grateful to get it, tho' of course the question of the gentleman waiting there & you away, was complicated; — & E. will be disappointed. —
My heart is again enlarged, so I don't leave the house. Lilly D. is coming to me for half an hour. — I do hope you have warmer weather to-day, Sebastopol is not amiable both times. —
Xenia is coming to-morrow to luncheon.
Ania sat with me this morning for an hour. — 2 Girls are riding & 2 driving — Alexei out in his motor. — I wonder whether you return 21-st or 22-d.
Ressin has gone to town to see the place & bring me details, as I should like to help the poor sufferers. —
Now Lovebird, I must end, as I have to write for the English messenger & to sister Olga. —
God bless & protect you. I kiss you over & over again in tenderest love
Ever, Nicky, dear, yr. old
Sunny.
Nicholas's telegrams:
Telegram. Sevastopol. 18 April, 1915.
Warmest thanks for dear letter and telegram. I have just returned from an inspection of all the II battalions of the plastouni. An interesting, beautiful sight, and unique of its kind. I have appointed Alexey Chief of the 3rd Batt. Be kind enough to telegraph to them in his name...
...
Telegram. Sevastopol. 18 April, 1915.
Thirteen thousand ikons have arrived. I intend to drive by car beyond the Baidars. Tender embraces.
Nicky.
Above: Alexandra.
Above: Nicholas.
No comments:
Post a Comment