Shortly afterwards, to our great relief, we were informed that Kerensky had left the Palace and gone to the Town Hall. The new commandant, Colonel Korovichenko, was then presented to the Empress, who begged him to allow her to say good-bye to Anna. Korovichenko consented, and the Empress went, unaccompanied, to Anna’s room. She sat very silent when she returned: she felt the parting keenly, as both the friends knew that, in all probability, it might be for ever! The Emperor, the Grand Duchesses and myself now took up our position in “Orchie’s room,”[14] from which the windows commanded a view of the entrance to Anna’s apartments. I was sitting by the Empress near the window.... All at once she took my hand, and said in a voice choked with emotion: “At least, God will allow you to remain, and....” Her sentence remained unfinished.... At this moment someone knocked at the door; it was Count Benckendorff, who had hurried along to tell the Empress that he still hoped better things for Anna. This was only a temporary respite. A little later we heard the sound of an automobile in the courtyard. I looked down, and saw two automobiles drawn up in front of the Imperial entrance to the Palace. Another knock! This time it was a servant who announced: “The new Commandant wishes to speak to Madame Dehn.” I went out; Korovitchenko, a fair-haired, common-looking man with a hard mouth, was standing at the end of the corridor. “Madame Dehn?” he enquired brusquely. “Yes ... I am Madame Dehn.” “Well ... get ready. Take as little as possible with you; you are going with Kerensky to Petrograd.” I nearly fainted, but I managed to run back to “Orchie’s room.” In a few hurried words I acquainted the Empress with Korovitchenko’s orders.... I could not look at any of them. I tried to be calm, but at the sound of Tatiana’s uncontrollable sobbing I broke down and wept in the arms of the Empress. “_Eh bien_ ...” she said, releasing me gently from her embrace, “_il n’y rien à faire_.” “Is Madame Dehn ready?” shouted someone outside. The Empress called Zanoty (one of her dressers) and told her to put some things together in a suit-case. She did not speak to me--or I to her--our hearts were too full. It was like some terrible nightmare. At length I managed to go into Anastasie’s room.... She was in bed. I kissed her many times, and told her that I would never forsake them. Poor Marie lay asleep in her darkened room.... I kissed her flushed cheek, blessed her, and went out quietly. There was no time to say good-bye to the Tsarevitch. * * * * *