Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - VII. Rasputin
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
1912] A SUBJECT FOR SCANDAL 71
to the capital, and they quoted the names of such and
such a lady and of such and such an official, whose
houses, in the evening, were the scene of strange
religious rites conducted by Rasputin.1
Much comment was also caused by the resignation
of two maids-of-honour, specially attached to the Palace :
Princess Obolensky, a person noted for her wit, tact,
and kindness of heart, who at one time was very
intimate with the Empress, and Mile. Tutcheff, much
esteemed for her character and her intelligence, to which
she owed her position as governess to the Imperial
children. The latter had several times protested
vehemently against the repeated visits of the " old
man" to her august pupils, visits during which he
allowed himself to take liberties which were unnecessary
to say the least of it. Mile. Tutcheff was promised that
this should not occur again, and Rasputin’s departure
brought the desired solution of the question. But now
the terrible scoundrel had reappeared at
Tsarskoe-Selo, the question revived with added acuteness and
Mile. Tutcheff, foreseeing a return to former practices,
definitely left her charming pupils and the Court.
My first official visit in St. Petersburg was naturally
to our Foreign Secretary. Having discussed with him
all that had happened in Bulgaria since our last
conversation at Davos, I begged M. Sazonoff, as was
customary, to procure me an audience of His Majesty
the Emperor.
" The Emperor will probably receive you during
this week. To-morrow is the day for my report to
Tsarskoe-Selo and I will take the opportunity to inform
His Majesty of your arrival."
"And does the Empress Alexandra not receive?"
"Oh no! She has been ailing for a long time, and
in general things are not going well in that quarter."
" But what is wrong? "
1 Rasputin was in fact a Khlyst, z>.’half " Shaker," half Flagellant—
a strange sect which from time to time rises in Russia from the common
depths to the upper classes of society.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
