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,9i3] RASPUTIN AGAIN 727
subjected during the visits of the Imperial Family, this
expulsion was perfectly legitimate. But imagine the
effect produced! The Empress’s health declined
immediately, and her good temper, resulting from the
healthy climate of Crimea and the charming family life
in the bosom of radiant nature, was changed to gloomy
and nervous anxiety. The Vyrubova began to trot to
and fro between Livadia, the church of the diocese, and
the modest hotel where the wife (or rather one of the
wives) and one of the daughters of Rasputin had remained.
The people about the Court when they met Dumbadze
stared at him as one stares at a lunatic or a dangerous
criminal. Finally, after a few days of painful indecision
and probably in consequence of violent curtain-lectures,
the Emperor sent for Dumbadze and asked him by what
right he had considered himself authorised to expel
from Yalta "the excellent old man, Gregory"?
Dumbadze replied most calmly and frankly that he looked
on the old man as a suspicious and dangerous person,
and that he had expelled him conformably with the law
and duty imposed on him by his post.
" But all the same, how could you do it, knowing
to what extent the Empress and I love and esteem
Gregory? I beg of you, General, if it is possible, to
authorise this poor man to rejoin his family at Yalta."
"Sir," Dumbadze then replied, to end this painful
discussion, "Your Majesty is well aware that I would
shed my last drop of blood for you and your august
family ; but I intend to preserve my honour as an officer
up to the end, towards and against all. Moreover, Your
Majesty can at any moment relieve me of the post
which you have graciously confided to me."
The Emperor was silent, then passed to another
topic, and dismissed the General with his usual
kindness. Dumbadze remained military prefect, and of
course never dreamt of allowing Rasputin to return.
On the other hand, there was no more mention of the
General’s candidature for the high Court appointment
which had been destined to him, and the persons of the
Q
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