ALEXIS NICOLAÏEVITCH SITTING ON THE STEPS OF THE GOVERNOR’S HOUSE. STANDING BY HIM IS THE SON OF DR. DEREVENKO, WHO WAS ALLOWED TO COME AND PLAY WITH HIM WHEN WE FIRST WENT TO TOBOLSK.
Monday, March 18th.—During the first week of Lent the family will perform its devotions as usual. There is a service morning and evening. As their different occupations prevent the attendance of the choir, the Czarina and Grand-Duchesses sing with the deacon.
Tuesday, March 19th.—After lunch the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was discussed. It has just been signed. The Czar was very depressed, saying: “It is such a disgrace for Russia and amounts to suicide. I should never have thought the Emperor William and the German Government could stoop to shake hands with these miserable traitors. But I’m sure they will get no good from it; it won’t save them from ruin!”
A little later, when Prince Dolgorouky remarked that the newspapers were discussing a clause in which the Germans demanded that the Imperial family should be handed over to them unharmed, the Czar cried: “This is either a manœuvre to discredit me or an insult.”
The Czarina added in a low voice: “After what they have done to the Czar, I would rather die in Russia than be saved by the Germans!”
Friday, March 22nd.—At a quarter past nine, after the evening service, everyone went to Confession—children, servants, suite, and finally Their Majesties.
Saturday, March 23rd.—A detachment of over a hundred Red Guards has arrived from Omsk; they are the first Maximalist soldiers to take up garrison duty at Tobolsk. Our last chance of escape has been snatched from us. His Majesty, however, tells me he has reason to believe that there are among these men many officers who have enlisted in the ranks; he also asserts, without telling me definitely the source of his information, that there are three hundred officers at Tioumen.