ALEXANDER II (1818-1881) EMPEROR OF RUSSIA, KING OF POLAND AND GRAND DUKE OF FINLAND Handwritten letter addressed to Ekaterina Dolgorukova. Letter n°68 (08/20 March 1869)

in French and Russian Saturday 8/20 March 1869, at 1 1/4 p.m. Sunday 9/21 March, at 9 ½ h. a.m. 1) letter on folio folded in two, 5pp. 2) 1p. recto verso numbered 2, top right corner Embossed imprerial monogrammed paper, walnut ink, 18,5 x 12 cm ‘ 11.30 p.m. ... From what I wrote you, you will soon know that I have foreseen the way you received me this evening, and there is truly no patience that can be maintained, as with every little annoyance, which certainly does not depend on my good will, such scenes are repeated. But I am ashamed of myself for having let myself get carried away and for having ... and I beg your sincere pardon. I am sure you feel no less sorry than I do for the evening we wasted sulking at each other. How can you not want to understand that it is in our common interest, for our future, which I never cease to think about, that I keep up appearances as much as possible, and that, because of this, it is impossible for me not to be considerate and polite, so as not to be suspicious by a complete change in my way of being. You know perfectly well where you stand with regard to the main intimacy, which has not existed for more than a year, and that I now only regard myself as your property and am jealous for you of everything that belongs to you. The continual comedy I am obliged to play is certainly neither easy nor pleasant and I am always on the .... (thorns?) so as not to betray us by some imprudence. It is only with you, my all, that I breathe freely, and it is really uncharitable of you to sulk about me for nothing and thus deprive us both of enjoying the only moments we can spend together. You know that I have unshakeable confidence in you and the idea of accusing you of being reluctant never occurs to me, because I know you thoroughly and better than you do yourself. But I cannot hide from you that your unjust sulking causes me extreme pain, and that of this evening, the very day of our communion, in particular. (translated from French) . It’s been a long time since I had such a splinter, which I must confess to you and now has not yet completely healed (from Russian) and and by the manner of your appearance, when we met at the (Millonnaia?), I must assume that the same is true for you, which does not make me any happier. ....(from French) Sunday, March 9/21 at 9 ½ a.m. Good morning, my Angel, after such a bad night I woke up under the impression, not of our evening, but of all the good words in your dear morning letter, glad that in spite of everything I love you more than ever and that everything would consent for me in you, my naughty yet lovely imp. Our confidant was very touched that you thought of him yesterday and asked me to congratulate you on his behalf too. You won’t forget to thank Marie for her .... which gave me great pleasure. She knows how much I cherish her and why and how I love her. May God bless our future and not abandon us. (from French) I embrace you, my soul Katya, to the depths of your heart. I am happy that you are mine and I am yours forever.’ (from Russian)