[55] Russia had been engaged in a reorganisation of the army which increased the number of her divisions and greatly augmented her striking force.
[56] Professor Fiodorof, realising that every hour’s delay meant less chance of averting imminent disaster, went to find General V----, who was one of the most prominent members of the Czar’s staff. He found him perched on a ladder engaged in fixing a nail in the wall on which to hang a picture. Fiodorof told him his fears and begged him to see the Czar at once. But the General called him a “revolution maniac,” and, picking up his hammer, continued the operation which had been interrupted by his tiresome visitor.
[57] It was a great misfortune for the Czar Nicholas II. and the Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna that they ascended the throne so young. Like Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, they could have said, “Guard us, protect us, O God! We are reigning too young!”
History will ultimately give them their due. What was not written about Louis XVI. at the time of the French Revolution? What accusations were levelled against him? Was there any calumny of which he was not the victim? Yet the children in France learn to-day that “he was honest and kind, and desired to do good” (Malet, _Révolution et Empire_, p. 312). It will be the same with Nicholas II., with the difference that he was a victim to his devotion to his country because he rejected all compromise with the enemy.
[58] Another Imperial residence, twelve miles south-west of Petrograd.
[59] No one can have any idea of what the Czarina suffered during these days when she was despairing at her son’s bedside and had no news of the Czar. She reached the extreme limits of human resistance in this last trial, in which originated that wonderful and radiant serenity which was to sustain her and her family to the day of their death.
[60] Colonel Kobylinsky shortly before had replaced Colonel Korovitchenko as Commandant of the palace.
[61] These were Count and Countess Benckendorf, whom their great age and uncertain state of health prevented from following us; Baroness Buxhœveden, who was kept back by illness and was to join us at Tobolsk as soon as she could, and a certain number of servants. Kerensky had asked the Czar whether he wished Count Benckendorf to be replaced. The Czar had replied that he would be very glad for General Tatichtchef to come and share his captivity. On learning his Czar’s wish General Tatichtchef only allowed himself time to put his affairs in order, and a few hours later started, valise in hand, for Tsarskoïe-Selo. We found him in the train at the moment of departure. General Tatichtchef held no Court appointment; he was one of the Czar’s numerous aides-de-camp.