FIVE MONTHS’ CAPTIVITY AT TSARSKO?E-SELO (MARCH—AUGUST, 1917)
 
THE Imperial family remained at Tsarsko?e-Selo until the month of August, 1917. During the five months of this internment with them I kept a diary of our life together. It will be understood that delicacy of feeling prevents me from reproducing it in its entirety. I wish to avoid as much as possible bringing in people who are still alive. I shall, however, break through this reserve when it is a question of dealing with incidents which throw light on the character of the Czar and his family or their feelings during these long months of trial.
Sunday, April 1st.—Alexis Nicola?evitch feeling much better. We went to church this morning, where we found Their Majesties, the Grand-Duchesses Olga and Tatiana, and the various members of the suite who are sharing our captivity. When the priest prayed for the success of the Russian and Allied armies the Czar and Czarina knelt down, the whole congregation following their example.
A few days ago, as I was leaving Alexis Nicola?evitch’s room, I met ten soldiers wandering about in the passage. I went up to them and asked what they wanted.{222}
“We want to see the Heir.”
“He’s in bed and can’t be seen.”
“And the others?”
“They are also unwell.”
“And where is the Czar?”
“I don’t know.”
“Will he be going out?”
“I don’t know; but come, don’t hang about here. There must be no noise because of the invalids!”
They went back, walking on their toes and talking in low voices. These are the soldiers depicted to us as wild revolutionaries hating their ex-Czar.
Tuesday, April 3rd.—To-day Kerenski came to the palace for the first time. He went through all the rooms and noted all the sentry-posts, wishing to assure himself in person that we are well guarded. Before leaving he had a fairly long conversation with the Czar and Czarina.
Wednesday, April 4th.—Alexis Nicola?evitch related to me yesterday’s conversation between Kerensky and the Czar and Czarina.
The whole family was collected in the apartment of the Grand-Duchesses. Kerensky entered and introduced himself, saying:
“I am the Procurator-General, Kerensky.”
Then he shook hands all round. Turning to the Czarina, he said:
“The Queen of England asks for news of the ex-Czarina.”
Her Majesty blushed violently. It was the first time that she had been addressed as ex-Czarina. She
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THE CZAR, HIS CHILDREN AND THEIR COMPANIONS IN CAPTIVITY CONVERTING THE LAWNS OF THE PARK INTO A KITCHEN-GARDEN. MAY, 1917.
Near to the wooden hut, the Czarina in white, with a parasol, and two of the Grand-Duchesses. In the centre, to the right, the Czar Nicholas II. The Alexander Palace in the background.
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answered that she was fairly well, but that her heart was troubling her as usual. Kerensky went on:
“Anything I begin I always carry through to the bitter end, with all my might. I wanted to see everything myself, to verify everything so as to be able to report at Petrograd, and it will be better for you.”
He then asked the Czar to go with him into the next room as he wished to speak to him in private. He went in first and the Czar followed.
After his departure, the Czar told us that no sooner were they alone than Kerensky said to him:
“You know I’ve succeeded in getting the death penalty abolished?... I’ve done this in spite of the fact that a great number of my comrades have died, martyrs to their convictions.”
Was he trying to make a display of his magnanimity, and insinuating that he was saving the Czar’s life though the latter had done nothing to deserve it?
He then spoke of our departure, which he still hopes to be able to arrange. When? Where? How? He did not know himself, and asked that the matter should not be discussed.
This has been a hard blow for Alexis Nicola?evitch. He has not yet realised their new situation. It was the first time he had seen his father receive orders and obey like a subordinate.
It is worthy of note that Kerensky arrived at the palace in one of the Czar’s private cars, driven by a chauffeur from the Imperial garage.
Friday, April 6th.—The Czar told me to-day of the distress the papers cause him. It is the ruin of the{224} army; no more hierarchy or discipline. The officers are afraid of their men and are spied upon by them. One feels the Czar is hard hit by the collapse of the army which is so dear to him.
Sunday, April 8th.—After Mass, Kerensky announced to the Czar that he was obliged to separate him from the Czarina—that he will have to live apart, only seeing Her Majesty at meals, and that on condition that only Russian is spoken. Tea, too, may be taken together, but in the presence of an officer, as no servants are present.
A little later the Czarina came up to me in a great state of agitation, and said:
“To think of his acting like this to the Czar, playing this low trick after his self-sacrifice and his abdication to avoid civil war; how mean, how despicable! The Czar would not have had a single Russian shed his blood for him. He has always been ready to renounce all when he knew that it was for the good of Russia.”
A moment later she went on:
“Yes, this horrible bitterness must be endured too.”
Monday, April 9th.—I learn that Kerensky had intended at first to isolate the Czarina, but it was pointed out to him that it would be inhuman to separate a mother from her sick children; it was then that he decided to isolate the Czar.
April 13th, Good Friday.—In the evening the whole family went to Confession.
Saturday, April 14th.—In the morning, at half-past nine, Mass and Holy Communion. In the evening, at half-past eleven, everyone went to church for the{225} midnight service. Colonel Korovitchenko, the Commandant of the palace and friend of Kerensky, and the three officers of the guard were also present. The service lasted until two o’clock, when we went to the library to exchange the traditional greetings. The Czar, according to Russian custom, embraced all the men present, including the Commandant and officers of the guard, who had remained with him. The two men could not hide their emotion at this spontaneous act.
We then took our places at a round table for the Easter meal. Their Majesties sat facing one another. There were seventeen of us, including the two officers. The Grand-Duchesses Olga and Marie were not present, nor Alexis Nicola?evitch. The comparative animation which marked the beginning soon relapsed and conversation flagged. His Majesty was particularly silent. Was it sadness or fatigue?
Sunday, April 15th, Easter Day.—We went out for the first time with Alexis Nicola?evitch on the terrace in front of the palace. A superb spring day.
In the evening at seven o’clock a religious service upstairs in the children’s apartments. There were only fifteen of us. I noticed that the Czar crossed himself piously when the priest prayed for the Provisional Government.
On the following day, as the weather was still very fine, we went out into the park, where we are now allowed to take the air, followed by officers of the guard and sentries.
Wishing to take a little physical exercise, we amused ourselves by clearing the sluices of the pond of the ice{226} which was blocking them. A crowd of soldiers and civilians soon lined up along the park railing and watched our work. After some time the officer of the guard went up to the Czar and told him that the Commandant of the Tsarsko?e-Selo garrison had just warned him that he feared a hostile demonstration or even an attempt on the lives of the Imperial family, and he would ask us not to remain where we were. The Czar answered that he had no fear, and that the good people were not annoying him in any way.
Wednesday, April 18th.—Whenever we go out, soldiers, with fixed bayonets and under the command of an officer, surround us and keep pace with us. We look like convicts with their warders. The instructions are changed daily, or perhaps the officers interpret them each in his own way!
This afternoon, when we were going back to the palace after our walk, the sentry on duty at the gate stopped the Czar, saying:
“You cannot pass, sir.”
The officer with us here intervened. Alexis Nicola?evitch blushed hotly to see the soldier stop his father.
Friday, April 20th.—We now go out regularly twice a day: in the morning from eleven till noon, in the afternoon from half-past two to five. We all collect in the semi-circular hall and wait for the officer commanding the guard to come and open the gates into the park. We go out; the officer on duty and soldiers fall in behind us and take station round the place where we stop to work. The Czarina and Grand-Duchesses Olga and Marie are still confined to their rooms.
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THE CZAR WORKING IN THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. BEHIND HIM THE OFFICER ON DUTY. ON THE RIGHT THE SAILOR, NAGORNY. BEHIND, COUNTESS HENDRIKOF.
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THE CZARINA, IN AN INVALID CHAIR. WORKING AT SOME EMBROIDERY AND WATCHING HER FAMILY GARDENING.
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Sunday, April 22nd.—We are forbidden to go to the pond; we have to keep near the palace and not go outside the radius which has been fixed for us. In the distance we saw a crowd of several hundred people curious to see us.
Wednesday, April 25th.—Kerensky returned to the palace. Dr. Botkin has taken advantage of this to ask if it would be possible to transfer the Imperial family to Livadia on account of the children’s health. Kerensky replied that it was quite impossible for the moment. He then went to see Their Majesties, and remained some time. Kerensky’s attitude to wards the Czar is no longer what it was at the beginning; he has given up his judicial bearing. I am convinced that he is beginning to understand what the Czar is and yielding to his moral ascendancy like all who come near him. Kerensky has requested the papers to put an end to their campaign against the Czar, and more especially the Czarina. These calumnies simply pour oil on the flames. He feels his responsibility towards the captives. But not a word about our departure abroad. That proves his powerlessness.
Sunday, April 29th.—In the evening a long conversation with Their Majesties on the subject of Alexis Nicola?evitch’s lessons. We must find a way out since we have no longer any tutors. The Czar is going to make himself responsible for History and Geography, the Czarina will take charge of his religious instruction. The other subjects will be shared between Baroness Buxh?veden (English), Mlle. Schneider (Arithmetic) Dr. Botkin (Russian) and myself.{228}
Monday, April 30th.—This morning the Czar greeted me with: “Good morning, dear colleague”—he has just given Alexis Nicola?evitch his first lesson. Always the same serenity, the same anxiety to be agreeable to those who share his captivity. He is an example and an encouragement to us.
I have given Tatiana............