We were no longer to complain of monotony. Even then, events unknown to us were moving quickly, and in my case definitely. The Grand Duchess Marie was still very ill, and Anna, who knew this, decided to go and see her. The Empress was against the idea; Anna was ill, she said, and it was better for her health and her safety to keep as quiet as possible, and not to draw any undue attention to her presence in the Palace. So strongly did the Empress disapprove, that she was taken in her wheeled chair to see Anna, but she returned more nervous and apprehensive than before. I spent the morning with the Empress, and I lunched with Anna, in the apparently forlorn hope of dissuading her from attempting to see Marie. After luncheon we discussed the burning question of Kotzebue’s disappearance. Suddenly we were startled by hearing a noise in the corridor.... Anna instantly rang the bell. A servant answered it. “Who is outside?” demanded Anna. “I don’t know,” replied the man, who was evidently much disturbed; “the soldiers are here.” At this moment a _skorohod_[12] entered, and handed me a tiny folded note. I opened it.... Written in pencil, in the Empress’s handwriting, were these ominous words: “_Kerensky passe par toutes nos chambres, pas avoir peur--Dieu est là. Vous embrasse toutes les deux._”[13] [Illustration] Heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor. I had barely time to slip the precious note inside my bodice when the door was flung open, and a man, followed by two others, came in. I stood up at once and looked at our visitor--it was Kerensky himself! [Illustration: THE EMPRESS AT TOBOLSK] [Illustration: THE EMPRESS WITH GRAND DUCHESS TATIANA [During the Captivity at Tsarskoe Selo]] [Illustration: THE GRAND DUCHESSES (left) MARIE: ANASTASIE (right)] I saw a slight man with a pale face, thin lips, shifty eyes, seen under lowered lids, and a nondescript nose. Kerensky gave one the impression of being _mal soigné_.... He was not tall, but slight in figure, and his head drooped in a curious manner: he wore the blue jacket of an ordinary workman. Kerensky slowly considered us. “Are you Madame Anna Virouboff?” he said, addressing Anna. “Yes,” replied Anna, faintly. “Well, put on your clothes immediately and be ready to follow me.” Anna made no answer. “Why the devil are you in bed?” he demanded, staring at Anna’s invalid _déshabillée_. “Because I’m ill,” whimpered Anna, looking more childish than ever. “Well” ... said Kerensky, turning to an officer, “perhaps we had better not move her. I’ll have a chat with the doctors. In the meantime, isolate Madame Virouboff. Place sentinels before the door--she’s to hold no communication with anyone. Nobody is to come into this bedroom or to leave it until I give the order.” He went out of the room, followed by the officers. Anna and I looked at each other, speechless with dismay. My first collected thought was for the Empress. I would not be separated from her.