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“… We are living through a most dangerous moment in Russia’s history.… Everyone senses it: some with their mind, some their heart, some their soul….

“Certain forces inside Russia are leading you, and consequently Russia as well, to irrevocable ruin. I say ‘you and Russia’ wholly consciously, since Russia cannot exist without a tsar. One must remember, nevertheless, that the tsar alone cannot rule a state such as Russia.… The current situation, in which all responsibility lies on you and you alone, makes no sense.

“… Events have shown that your advisers are continuing to lead Russia and you to certain ruin,” Sandro repeated. “It leads one to utter despair that you do not care to heed the voices of those who know the state Russia is in and advise you to take the measures necessary to lead us out of chaos.

“… The government today is the organ preparing the revolution. The people do not want it, but the government is taking every possible measure to create as many dissatisfied people as possible and is succeeding completely at it. We are assisting at an unprecedented spectacle of revolution from above, rather than below.”

In his conversation at Alix’s bedside, Sandro begged Alix to confine herself to family matters, and Alix cut him off. He persisted. She raised her voice; so did he. During their stormy exchange Nicholas smoked silently. Sandro left, promising that one day Alix would recognize his truth. He kissed her hand in parting but received no parting kiss in response.

The entire conversation with Sandro made Alix see one thing: they wanted to remove Protopopov, whom the holy man had bequeathed to them. She was furious. What they needed was to disband the Duma, not remove devoted people from the throne.

That day Nicholas was forced to listen to a great deal more. He recorded in his diary, laconically and in order as always, the day’s chain of events.

“Took a walk with Marie, Olga’s ear hurt. Before tea received Rodzianko.”

His conversation with the Duma chairman was ominous. The usually restrained Rodzianko was unrecognizable.

Rodzianko: “A change of faces and not only faces but the whole system of government is imperative.”

Nicholas: “You keep demanding the removal of Protopopov. But he was your comrade in the Duma. Why do you all hate him so now?”

Rodzianko: “I do demand it. Before I asked, now I demand. Your Excellency, we are on the eve of great events whose outcome we cannot foresee. I have been reporting to you for an hour and a half, but everything tells me you have already selected the most dangerous path—disbanding the Duma. I am convinced that before three weeks are out a revolution will ignite that will wipe away everything, and you will not be able to rule.”

When Rodzianko had entered the study to see the tsar, he had run into Alexander Volkov and asked him to note how long he stayed in the sovereign’s study.

When the agitated Duma chairman walked out of the study, Volkov said: “You were with His Excellency for exactly twenty-six minutes.”

Rodzianko handed his briefcase to the footman who was waiting to carry it to his carriage, waved his hand hopelessly, and said, “It doesn’t matter now, it’s finished.”

But Rodzianko was wrong. This conversation did make an impression. Nicholas yielded.

On the twentieth of February the prime minister, old Golitsyn, returned home from Tsarskoe Selo unusually happy and cheerful. Nicholas himself had suddenly expressed a wish to discuss the question of an accountable ministry. He announced to Golitsyn that he was preparing to appear before the Duma and proclaim his will: to give Russia a ministry that would answer to the Russian parliament.

But on the evening of the same day Golitsyn was called to the palace again. Nicholas informed the astonished prime minister that he was leaving for Headquarters.

Between these two events, of course, there had been a conversation with Alix. That vigilant warrior would not allow him to repeat the concessions of 1905.

By that time Nicholas was very tired. Old Golitsyn