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5o4 IN SPAIN AND IN EXILE [chap. xxv.
which would ensue would only harm the unfortunate
exiles of Tobolsk."
The King thought for a minute. " But tell me,
Monsieur, something that I do not quite understand.
Who is really at the head of the Russian Government at this
moment ? "
"Sir, I have just handed my credentials to Your
Majesty; these credentials are signed by the President
of the Council, Prince Lvoff, and countersigned by the
Minister for Foreign Affairs."
"Then it is Prince Lvoff? I am told he is a good
and honourable man. Very well then, Monsieur, please
write from me to Prince Lvoff to say how interested
I am in the fate of the Emperor Nicolas II. and his
family, and that I should be intensely happy to know
they were in complete safety!"
" I will do so to-morrow, sir, in a private letter
addressed to the Prince."
"Yes, yes, please do so."
The King’s words and his expression denoted so
much frankness, so much nobleness that I at once felt
his charm. Moreover, what he had said stirred me
deeply. The ceremony then concluded by the
presentation of my suite to the King. On which His
Majesty withdrew with great pomp.2
After the usual presentations and a few minutes’
waiting in another room, I was conducted first to Her
Majesty Queen Victoria, and then to Her Majesty the
Queen-Mother Marie Christina.
One could not imagine a more graceful picture than
the one that met my eyes when I entered the
audience-room of the young Queen. Slim, very beautiful (her
photographs do not show the great charm of her features),
very fair, wearing a lovely white dress which still
further enhanced her beauty, the Queen was standing
1 Alas ! no one knew exactly !
2 Up to now I do not know if other Sovereigns, other
Governments-allied or neutral—have ever taken any similar steps in favour of the
unfortunate Nicolas II. and his family.
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