PROMOTION OF MY HUSBAND TO THE POST OF GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE AMOUR
PROVINCES IN EASTERN SIBERIA
There was much talk about my husband’s appointment to the post of
Governor-General of the district of the Amour, including the provinces
along the valley of the Amour river and the entire Eastern section of
Siberia, instead of Baron Korff, whose health was beginning to fail.
About this time my husband was frequently called to St. Petersburg on
business. One morning an urgent telegram arrived; the Minister of War
summoned my husband without delay to St. Petersburg. Sergy promised
to send me a wire containing two words: “Great News,” if the question
concerned his nomination. I was in a state of great excitement until the
telegram arrived. The next evening brought a wire from Sergy, it ran:
“Great news!” I had expected it, and yet, it was a shock. But I resigned
myself to my lot. I loved Sergy far too well to injure his prospects and
I would follow him to the world’s end resignedly.
When Sergy returned to Moscow he told me that Baron Korff was not leaving
his post at present, but that a temporary function, that of adjunct to
the Governor-General of the far east of Siberia, had been proposed to my
husband.
It is too serious a resolution to be taken in a hurry, and Sergy went
once more to St. Petersburg and took me with him. In the first place we
called on Baroness Korff. A hundred questions were burning on my lips,
but our visit was rather disappointing. The Baroness described Khabarovsk
to us under awfully gloomy aspects, and left us under no illusion about
our new abode, which seems as far as the moon to me, describing it as a
place where no luxuries of civilisation can be procured, and said that we
must be prepared to encounter terrible hardships and great privations.
Really, it was not too enthusiastic a description, and did not sound
promising at all. I had heard very much the same thing before, but not so
emphatically stated. Our fine resolutions flew to the winds, and Sergy
decided to refuse his appointment as adjunct to Baron Korff. I could sing
victory!
A cloud came soon over our bright sky. An event took place which
completely modified our lives. One morning there come to us a startling
and most appalling piece of news, informing us that Baron Korff had
departed this life. My husband was summoned by telegram to return
instantly to St. Petersburg, where he was told that he was named
General-Governor of the Amour province.
My thoughts were in a state of chaos. I was glad to know at least what to
expect. That painful uncertainty tortured me; for days I had been almost
without sleep, feeling the sword of Damocles suspended over me.
Sergy wanted me at first to remain in St. Petersburg with my mother,
promising to come and fetch me in the middle of the winter; but the
thought that I should be separated from him for so long a time, and that
seas should roll between us, was a veritable torture to me. Where he
goes, I am bound to go too. I can’t let him go alone to that impossible
land, I can’t and I won’t! My only wish is for Sergy’s happiness. I am
ready to sacrifice anything for him and to brave a lot of discomforts. I
am determined to follow my husband. At least we won’t have half the globe
between us.
It is very hard, however, to part with our home and to remove to another
quarter of the globe. But what is to be, will be. I must submit to the
inevitable and look to the future with a firm face.
My husband received the order to start for Siberia within a month. We
were making ready to depart and began preparations for our long journey
to Khabarovsk, which is a serious undertaking. I had a great deal to
think about. Our apartments were turned upside down; the whole house was
topsy-turvy. Packing cases encumbered the floor and professional packers
came to pack our trunks. The sight of the empty, denuded rooms depressed
me. Our home was broken up! Our heavy luggage had been consigned to the
“Nijni-Novgorod,” a merchant vessel belonging to the Volunteer Fleet.
Colonel Serebriakoff, an officer attached to my husband’s personal
service, and his wife accompanied us on our journey to Khabarovsk, so
did Mr. Shaniawski and Mr. Koulomsine, Sergy’s private secretaries. Dr.
Pokrovski, a surgeon in the Russian army, a dispenser of drugs, was
necessary also on our hazardous voyage, and Mme. Beurgier, a former
governess of Princess Mimi Troubetzkoy, one of my childhood’s greatest
friends, made up the party in the capacity of companion. I had sore need
of a friend, and it is a great comfort to have dear Mme. Beurgier with me.
The nearer the time approached for our setting out, the more nervous I
grew. The hour of our departure was in the papers, and arriving at the
railway station we saw a crowd of friends to see us off, with plenty of
hand-shakes, kisses and embraces. I was presented with five enormous
bouquets, which were distributed in no time by people asking for flowers
as souvenirs.
The signal was given for departure and hands and handkerchiefs waved
frantically as the train glided out. I felt a lump in my throat on
leaving dear old Moscow for good.
On arriving at St. Petersburg, my husband was welcomed on the platform
by all the persons composing his staff, except Mr. Shaniawski, who, as
an experienced traveller, had been sent out to Paris to arrange for
our passage and secure berths for us on the Transatlantic s.s. “La
Bourgogne,” on which we had to cross the ocean to New York.
My husband received numerous visits of congratulation, and telegrams with
testimonies of good-will reached him from many parts.
We shall now have the Japs and the Chinese for close neighbours. The
Ambassadors of both these yellow-faced nations try to get into our good
graces. The Ambassador of China came to pay us a call of ceremony,
accompanied by his first secretary, Mr. Li, who understands and speaks
Russian quite well. This son of the Celestial Empire was our frequent
guest and chose to fancy himself in love with me. He accompanied me
nearly every night to a concert or a music-hall, under the chaperonship
of Mme. Beurgier. He made himself very useful in fetching lemonade and
cups of tea, and overloading me with flowers and bonbons.
The moment had arrived when we could delay our departure no longer.
Before leaving, I was bidden to Gatchina, the summer residence of the
Empress Dowager, which is an hour by train from St. Petersburg. On
arriving at Gatchina I found a carriage from the Imperial stables waiting
for me, which took me to the Palace. I was ushered through a long suite
of rooms into the one where the Empress sat. Her Majesty came up to me
and was most gracious and charming. She said kindly words of welcome and
wished me a happy voyage.