An Incident of the Coronation of Nicholas II
“I cannot understand such obstinacy. Why should you do without sleep and go ‘with the people,’ when you can go straight to the pavilion with your Aunt Vera, and see everything without any trouble? I told you Behr had promised to pass you through, though, as far as that’s concerned, you have the right of entry as a maid of honour.”
It was thus that Prince Paul Golitsin—known in the aristocratic set as “Pigeon”—addressed his twenty-three-year-old daughter Alexandra, called for shortness’ sake “Rina.”
The conversation took place in Moscow on 17th May 1893—on the eve of the popular fête held to celebrate the coronation. Rina, a strong, handsome girl, with a profile characteristic of her race—the hooked nose of a bird of prey—had long ceased to be passionately devoted to balls or social functions, and was, or at least considered herself to be, an “advanced” woman and a lover of “the people.” She was her father’s only daughter and his favourite, and always did what he wished. In this particular instance it occurred to her that she would like to go to the popular festival with her cousin, not at midday with the Court, but together with the people, the porter and the grooms of their own household, who intended to start in the early morning.
“But, father, I do not want to look at the people; I want to be with them. I want to see how they feel towards the young Tsar. Surely for once …”
“Well, well, do as you like. I know how obstinate you are.”
“Don’t be angry, father, dear. I promise to be careful, and Alec will not leave my side.”