It is apparent that the régime to which we are being subjected is becoming continually more severe. _Tuesday, May 1st._--For the first time Russia celebrates May 1st. We hear the bands and see the processions of demonstrators pass along the park railings. This evening the Czar returned to me the copy of the _Journal des Débats_ dealing with his abdication. He told me it had given the Czarina pleasure to read this article, which tried to be fair to him. Its tone was a contrast to that of the English papers. _Thursday, May 3rd._--The Czar told me this evening that the news has not been good for several days. The Extremist parties demand that France and England should declare themselves ready to make peace “without annexations or indemnities.” Deserters are becoming more and more numerous and the army is melting away. Will the Provisional Government be strong enough to continue the war? The Czar is following events with acute interest; he is anxious, but still hopes that the country will pull itself together and remain faithful to the Allies. _Sunday, May 13th._--This is the second day we have spent making a kitchen garden on one of the lawns of the park. We began by taking up the turf, carrying away the sod on barrows and arranging it in heaps. Everyone helped: the family, ourselves, and the servants, who for some time have been going out with us. Several soldiers of the guard even have come to help us! The Czar has looked very preoccupied during the last few days. As we were coming back from our walk he said to me: “It seems Rvssky has resigned. He had asked that an offensive should be undertaken. (One _asks_ now; one no longer gives orders!) The Soldiers’ Committees refused. If this is true it is the end! What humiliation! To remain on the defensive and not attack is suicide! We’re going to let our allies be crushed, and then it will be our turn.” _Monday, May 14th._--The Czar returned to our conversation of yesterday, adding: “What gives me a little hope is our love of exaggeration. I can’t believe that our army at the front is as bad as they say; it can’t have fallen to this extent in two months.” _Thursday, May 17th._--It appears that the end has been reached of the serious Government crisis that has lasted a fortnight. The news from Petrograd seems less bad. The new Council of Ministers, reconstituted with the addition of a few representatives of the soldiers and workmen, will perhaps succeed in establishing its authority. Meanwhile anarchy is everywhere gaining ground. _Saturday, May 19th._--The Czar’s birthday. (He is forty-nine.) Mass and congratulations.