The Diary of Olga Romanov (17 page)

From this group, a man of medium height with military manners stepped forward, and with a calm weak smile came towards me. This was the Emperor…. With an analogous smile I stepped towards him, extended my hand in the usual manner [and] introduced myself: “Kerensky,” as is normally done at first meetings. Nicholas responded by shaking my hand, and immediately got over his discomfort, smiled again and took me over to his family. The daughters and little Tsesarevich focused on me with obvious curiosity. Alexandra Fedorovna, standing in one spot rigidly, unfriendly, haughty, controlled, slowly unwillingly extended her hand. I was not dying to shake it; our palms barely touched each other.

—

From the memoirs of Anna Vyrubova:

The next day, my last day in Tsarskoe Selo, I went to see the children again and we were happy to be together. Their Majesties were having breakfast in the children's rooms and were calm, since Maria and Anastasia Nikolaevnas felt better.

On the morning of 21st of March I was nervous, I found out that the soldiers were not allowing Kotzeba into the palace, likely due to his humane treatment of the captives…It was a dark and cold day, the wind was howling. In the morning I wrote a note to the Empress, asking her not to wait until midday and stop by my room in the morning. She responded for me to come to the children's room at two o'clock, as right now their doctors were in there. Lillie Dehn had breakfast with me. I stayed in bed. About one [o'clock] there was sudden pandemonium in the hallway, and I heard fast footsteps. I felt chilled and felt that they were coming for me.

At first one of our men, Yevseyev, ran in with a note from the Empress: “Kerensky is making rounds of our rooms,—God is with us.” After a minute Lillie, who was calming me down, tore from her seat and ran off. The messenger reported that Kerensky is coming. Surrounded by officers, into the room walked an arrogant looking little man with a clean-shaved face, hollered that he is the minister and that I had to get ready to go with him to Petrograd, right now…

In a minute some military types crowded around my door, I got dressed quickly and having written a note to the Empress, sent her my large icon of the Savior. I, in turn, received two icons on a shoestring from the Empress and the Emperor with their signatures on the other side.

In tears I appealed to the commandant Korovichenko to allow me to say goodbye to the Empress. I saw the Emperor from the window, when he passed by on his walk, almost running, [he] was in a hurry, but they did not let him in…. I tried not to notice anything and focused my gaze on my beloved Empress, whose footman Volkov rolled her in a wheelchair. Tatiana Nikolaevna was escorting her [the Empress]. From afar I saw that the Empress and Tatiana Nikolaevna were sobbing; the good Volkov was weeping too.

One long embrace, we had time to exchange rings, Tatiana Nikolaevna took my wedding band. The Empress, through [her] sobs said, pointing to the heavens: “There and in God we will always be together.” I almost don't remember how they tore us apart. Volkov kept repeating: “Anna Alexandrovna, no one—but God!” When I looked at the faces of our persecutors, I saw that they were in tears too. They had to almost carry me to the motor car.

—

From the diary of Nicholas II:

22nd March. Wednesday.

There was a storm during the night and masses of snow. The day remained sunny and quiet. Olga and Tatiana went outside for the first time, and sat on the round balcony while I was walking. After breakfast I worked a lot. The younger ones slept a lot and felt well. Spent the entire time together.

23rd March. Thursday.

A bright day after 2 o'cl and a warm spell. Took a short walk in the morning. Took inventory of my things and books and started to put aside everything that I want to bring with me if we have to go to England. After breakfast walked with Olga and Tatiana and worked in the garden. Spent the evening as usual.

24th March. Friday.

A nice quiet day. Walked in the morning. During the day Maria and Anastasia were transferred to the playroom. Successfully worked with Valya D.; now almost all the paths are clear [of snow]. At 6 1/2 went to
vsenoshnaya
with O. and T. In the evening read Chekhov aloud.

25th March. Annunciation.

Spent this holiday in strange circumstances—arrested in our own home and without even a remote possibility of contact with Mama and with our [relatives and friends]! At 11 o'cl. went to
obednya
with O. and T. After breakfast walked and worked with them on the little island. The weather was overcast. At 6 1/2 went to
vsenoshnaya
and returned with pussy willows. Anastasia got up and walked around the rooms upstairs.

—

From the memoirs of Alexander Kerensky:

The life of the imperial family at the Alexander Palace was somewhat restricted:

1. The members of the imperial family, the courtiers and servants who remained with them, were forbidden to leave the palace grounds or to have any contact with the outside world.

2. The prisoners kept their privilege of moving around freely inside the palace, but outside walks were only allowed in the fenced in part of the park with the guards' supervision.

3. The imperial family and the suite were allowed to go to church services at the palace chapel.

4. Persons not residing at the palace were only allowed in with my permission.

5. All the correspondence addressed to the detainees was examined by the commandant.

6. The palace and park were under constant supervision by the armed guards.

7. The guards were observed by the outer patrol, while the inner guard inevitably answered to the commandant appointed by the Provisional Government.

With the exception of these restrictions, the imperial family's life in the palace was as usual.

—

From the diary of Nicholas II:

27th March. Monday.

Began
govet'
¹⁵
but it did not start out joyfully. After
obednya
Kerensky arrived and asked us to limit our contact with the children during meals and to sit separately; supposedly he needs this in order to calm down the infamous Soviet of the Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies! We had to submit in order to avoid violence.

Took a walk with Tatiana. Olga got ill again with a sore throat. The rest feel well. At 9.45 went down to my rooms, Tatiana sat with me until 10 1/2 o'cl. Then I read, had some tea, took a bath and went to sleep on my cot!

28th March. Tuesday.

Slept very well. The weather was warm, the road became even worse because of it; took a walk. At 11 o'cl. went to
obednya
. Olga's throat continues to hurt, temp. rose up to 39.4, how tiresome—she only recently recovered from the measles. Walked and worked on the little island with T. At 6 1/2 o'cl. Anastasia went to the service with us. Spent the evening with Tatiana again and spent the night in my room.

29th March. Wednesday.

A nice warm day. Got up at 9 1/2 o'cl. as I did not sleep well. Took a walk before
obednya
. The service is [now] conducted in the campaign church [by] Father Afanasiy Belyaev, due to the illness of our priest F. Vasilyev, the deacon, lector and four choristers, who were excellent at their duties. Such a shame that all the children can't go to church with us! Took a walk with T. and worked for a long time with her on the
little island; two of the guards also helped us. After dinner spent the evening together until 10 o'cl., and then Tatiana sat with me. Went to bed early.

30th March. Thursday.

It was very windy [which] blew away the clouds during the day. At 10 o'cl. went to
obednya
, where a lot of our people received holy communion. Took a short walk with Tatiana; today they had the funeral for the “victims of the revolution” in our park across from the center of the Alexander Palace, not far from the Chinese [pavilion]. One could hear the sounds of the funeral march and the
Marseillaise
.

—

From the memoirs of Anna Vyrubova:

The Empress and the children were constantly awaiting N. Sabdin [
sic
—should be Sablin], their closest friend, but he did not appear, and others ran too. The loyal teachers of Aleksei Nikolaevich, Mr. Gilliard and Mr. Gibbe[s], some servants, all the nannies, who announced that they served in the good times and will never abandon the family now, both doctors, E. Botkin and V. Derevenko. In general, all of Her Majesty's people, all to the last person…stayed.

—

From the diary of Nicholas II:

1st April. Saturday.

Forgot to mention that yesterday we said goodbye to 46 of our servants who were finally released from the Alexander Palace to [go to] their families in Petrograd. The weather was nice with a strong southern wind. Walked until breakfast. During the day started to break the ice as usual by the bridge over a stream; [with us] worked Tatiana, Valya and
Nagorny.
¹⁶
Took a nap until dinner. Gave each other gifts of [Easter] eggs and photos. At 11 1/2 went to the beginning of the midnight service.

2nd April. Holy Easter Sunday.

Morning service and
obednya
ended at one 40…. The day was bright, really festive. Took a walk in the morning. Before breakfast exchanged triple kisses with all the servants, and Alix gave them china eggs which we had in stock. Altogether there were 135 people [present]. During the day started to work by the bridge, but soon a large crowd of onlookers gathered behind the lattice fence—we were forced to leave and spend the rest of the time bored in the garden. Aleksei and Anastasia went outside for the first time. At 7 o'cl. there was an evening service in the playroom. After dinner [we] dispersed at 10 o'cl.; read to Tatiana aloud in my room. Went to bed early.

—

From the memoirs of V. I. Chebotareva:

April 1917.

We know very little about the prisoners [imperial family at the Alexander Palace], although get some occasional letters. Varvara Afanasievna got two from Tatiana, and also Rita [got a letter]. In the first one, Tatianochka wrote: “I heard that the infirmary has been transferred to a new building. Will try to ensure that the dishware we ordered is delivered (was done yesterday). Send our things. [This] letter will most likely be opened by local censors.”

Sent [them] their uniforms, albums, camera and the icon from the dining room, which we all purchased—the last
regard from the infirmary. At the time, Shakh Bagov chose it. Yesterday, Tatiana wrote again: “Dear Varvara Afanasievna, sending things, shirts, pillows, some of the books. Please tell darling Bibi that we love and kiss her tenderly. What are Mitya and Volodya up to? And how about Valentina Ivanovna and Grisha?”
¹⁷

In the evening a postcard [addressed to] my name was delivered: “Christ has risen! We kiss darling Valentina Ivanovna thrice. Sisters Alexandra, Olga, Tatiana.” Vera Ignatievna feels that we cannot each respond, in order not to create the perception of “faction.” Rita should respond for all. The commandant says that we can write. Is Vera Ignatievna right? Can we not exchange a Christian greeting on such a revered holiday?

Olga has angina, fever 39.9. Aleksei Nikolaevich is lying down, bruised his arm, bleeding again. The mother is always with the children, the father evidently is separated, seldom sees [them].

They say that when Kerensky arrived, Aleksei Nikolaevich came out and to the question: “Do you have all you need?” [he] answered: “Yes, but I am so bored, I love soldiers.”—[Response was] “Look at how many of them are in the park.”—“No, these are not the same, these are not going to the front, I love those others.” [I] do not guarantee the veracity [of the above story].

—

From the diary of Nicholas II:

10th April. Monday.

The day stayed cool. Aleksei got a little bit of a sore throat and was put to bed. During the day worked with Tatiana between the bridges. Spent the evening as usual.

11th April. Tuesday.

Once again a wonderful day. During the day Alix finally came out with us for a walk. Nagorny pushed her in a wheelchair. She watched as we worked on the ice. The sun warmed [us] wonderfully. Read before dinner. Alix requested a
vsenoshnaya
upstairs for the children. Sat downstairs in my room with Tatiana until 11 o'cl.

12th April. Wednesday.

Cold windy day. Took a half hour walk and then sat with the children while Alix was at
obednya
. Kerensky came during the day and distracted me from my work on the ice. At first he spoke with Alix, then with me. Read after tea. In the evening we sat upstairs, had tea together and slept altogether too.

—

From the memoirs of Anna Vyrubova:

The parlor maid told me how they [the imperial family] spent the summer, how at one point Their Majesties were separated from each other and [were] only allowed to speak [to each other] during dinner and breakfast in the presence of the officers.

The Revolutionary government tried with all their might to implicate the Empress in treason, etc., but they were not successful. They hated her a lot more than the Emperor. When their accusations did not find any proof they once again were allowed to be together.

—

From the diary of Nicholas II:

19th April. Wednesday.

The weather was the same as yesterday but a little warmer. From 12 o'cl. until breakfast time sat with Aleksei at his
Russian history lessons. Took a walk with him and Tatiana during the day. For the first time the entire family had dinner at the same table—Olga and Maria recovered at last.

22nd April. Saturday.

An excellent spring day. Took a walk with Aleksei from 11 o'cl. until 12 o'cl.; he played on the island
¹⁸
while the marksmen stood on the other side and watched. During the day worked on the same spot. The sun was very warm. At 6 1/2 went to
vsenoshnaya
with the entire family. Before dinner Alix got modest gifts from the “prisoners,” an appropriate term of Maria's. In the evening read aloud.