[17] Kerensky’s “Extraordinary Commission of Enquiry” established the falsity of the libellous reports about her relations with Rasputin. In this connection see the report of M. Roudnief, one of the members of that Commission: “La vérité sur la famille russe” (Paris, 1920). What he says was confirmed during our captivity at Tsarskoïe-Selo by Colonel Korovitchenko, who will come into this book later on.
[18] Now Crown Prince of Rumania.
[19] Now Queen of Rumania.
[20] Now King of Rumania.
[21] Who could have foreseen that if the marriage had taken place she would have escaped the dreadful fate in store for her!
[22] A few weeks later the King of Saxony was the only prince in the German Confederation—with the exception of the Grand-Duke of Hesse, the Czarina’s brother—who tried to prevent a rupture with Russia. He was averse to associating himself with any employment of force against a nation whose guest he had just been. Yet it did not prevent him from indulging in the most fiery speeches once war had been declared.
[23] A small steam-yacht with paddles. The draught of the Standard was too great to allow her to fetch us from Peterhof.
[24] This subcutaneous hæmorrhage is particularly painful when it occurs in a joint.
[25] Rasputin was taken to the hospital at Tioumen and operated upon by a specialist sent from St. Petersburg. The operation was a wonderful success, and a week later the patient was out of danger. His recovery was considered miraculous. Neither fire not steel could avail against one who was obviously under the direct protection of the Almighty!
[26] The Czar used to say that diplomacy is the art of making white appear black. Apropos of this subject, he once quoted me Bismarck’s definition of an ambassador, “A man sent to another country to tell lies for the benefit of his own,” and he added: “Thank Heaven they’re not all trained in his school, but diplomats have a gift for complicating the most simple questions.”