[Illustration: H.I.M. ALEXANDRA (Given to the Author at Tsarskoe Selo, Spring, 1909)] THE REAL TSARITSA BY MADAME LILI DEHN CLOSE FRIEND OF THE LATE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA [Illustration] THORNTON BUTTERWORTH LTD. 15 BEDFORD STREET, LONDON, W.C.2 _First Published---- April, 1922_ TSARKOE SELO To H.I.M. ALEXANDRA THE LATE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA _Adieu, c’est pour un autre monde_ The fate which destined thee for lofty power, And crowned thee Sovereign o’er an Empire wide, Placed too the cup of suffering by thy side And sorrow gave thee for imperial dower: How little did’st thou dream in Fortune’s hour Thy barque would founder on such tragic tide Of blood as wrecks a mighty nation’s pride, While black the clouds of Revolution lower! What force sustained thee in those days of stress When death and ruin held their sombre court, And frenzied mob set might all right above? What made thee still thy prayers to Heav’n address, And solace to thy stricken spirit brought? ’Twas faith unshaken in a God of love. OSWALD NORMAN. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS H.I.M. Alexandra _Frontispiece_ Anna (Ania) Virouboff _to face page_ 48 Her Imperial Majesty with Titi " 56 Her Imperial Majesty with the Tsarevitch " 56 H.I.M. The Tsar with Officers of the Royal Yacht “Standart” " 96 The Empress on board the “Standart” " 96 H.I.M. on board the tender of the “Standart” " 96 Grand Duchess Olga " 104 Grand Duchess Tatiana " 104 The Imperial Family " 152 Royal Shooting Party " 160 The Tsarevitch at G.H.Q. " 160 The Tsarevitch and his Spaniel “Joy” " 160 His Imperial Majesty and the Tsarevitch " 184 H.I.M. Alexandra (end of 1915) " 184 The Empress at Tobolsk " 208 The Empress with Tatiana at Tsarkoe Selo " 208 The Grand Duchesses Marie and Anastasie " 208 FACSIMILIA Part of letter of June 5/18, 1917 _to face page_ 240