Khodinka 332

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.”