A few days before his departure a special thanksgiving, at which Nikoláy was present, was held in the cathedral for the Russian victory. He stood a little behind the governor and held himself with military decorum through the service, meditating on a great variety of subjects. When the service was over the governor’s wife beckoned him to her.

“Have you seen the princess?” she asked, indicating with a movement of her head a lady standing on the opposite side, beyond the choir.

Nikoláy immediately recognized Princess Márya not so much by the profile he saw under her bonnet as by the feeling of solicitude, timidity, and pity that immediately overcame him. Princess Márya, evidently engrossed by her thoughts, was crossing herself for the last time before leaving the church.