Yusupov was gay. The intricacies of the life of the Romanovs. Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov. Young darling of fate

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich among the murderers.

(Continuation, previous chapter:)

An important participant in the murder of Rasputin was Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich (1891-1942) - the son of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich from his first marriage to Grand Duchess Alexandra Georgievna, cousin of Nicholas II.
Dmitry Pavlovich himself understood his role as a “cover” for the entire gang of murderers quite well. “...It’s equally clear,” he wrote in 1920 to his friend and accomplice Prince F.F. Yusupov, “I am also aware that if my name had not been among the participants in the December drama, you would probably have been hanged as a political criminal.”

The Tsar and Queen favored V.K. for a long time. Dmitry Pavlovich and took care of him in every possible way.
It seems that v.k. Dmitry Pavlovich nurtured far-reaching ambitious plans, hoping to marry the “firstborn” of Nicholas II, his daughter, Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna.
The whole of secular Petersburg was gossiping about this then.

In the diary of General A.V. Bogdanovich has this entry about this:
“June 7, 1912.
Yesterday I drove. book Olga Nikolaevna is engaged. book Dmitry Pavlovich."

If this wedding had taken place, then before V.K. Dmitry Pavlovich could have the most promising prospects.
The fact is that the incurable illness of the heir Alexei gave Dmitry Pavlovich, under certain circumstances, even a chance to take the Russian throne!

It is believed that all these prospects were disrupted thanks to G.E. Rasputin, who opened the eyes of Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna to the pederastic inclinations of V.K. Dimitry Pavlovich. (In those days, for men this was still a shameful and carefully hidden vice from others, causing condemnation and ridicule in decent society).
After this, the planned engagement was rejected, which became the source of Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich’s hatred of Rasputin.

It’s hard to say when Dmitry Pavlovich became involved in homosexual sin. According to one version, he was “seduced” by his friend, Prince Felix Yusupov, and according to another, these inclinations in V.K. Dmitry's dreams arose in childhood.
Dimitri Pavlovich's mother, Greek princess Alexandra Georgievna, died during his birth.
His father, V.K. Pavel Alexandrovich was the sixth son of Emperor Alexander II.
On October 10, 1902, in Livorno, Italy, he entered into a morganatic marriage with Olga Valerianovna Pistolkors, (née Karnovich), the ex-wife of his subordinate, Guards Colonel Erich von Pistolkors, to whom she gave birth to four children (!!!)

(Their youngest daughter, Marianna (1890-1976), was part of the company of Prince Felix Yusupov at the time of the assassination of Grigory Rasputin).
After this scandalous marriage to a divorced woman, who left her 4 children and gave birth to V.K. Pavel Alexandrovich (5 years before the official marriage with him) son Vladimir, by royal command of V.K. Pavel was prohibited from living in Russia.

The children of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich (Maria and Dimitri) were placed under the guardianship of his brother, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and his wife Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.
This family was childless, and rumors about the pederastic inclinations of the Grand Duke circulated throughout Moscow.

(It’s interesting that, as in the case of Prince Yusupov, in childhood V.K. Dmitry Pavlovich also liked to dress as a girl, in dresses, scarves and bonnets).
After Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich was killed in 1905 by a bomb thrown by the Socialist Revolutionary Ivan Kalyaev, V.K. Elizaveta Fedorovna retired to the Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy.
Orphaned for the second time, 14-year-old Dmitry was taken to his home in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo by Emperor Nicholas II. Dmitry Pavlovich was brought up in the royal family until 1913.

It is curious that it is V.K. Dmitry Pavlovich led the Russian team at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm and personally (though without any success) participated in equestrian competitions.
He took 9th place in the individual competition and 5th place as part of the Russian team in the team competition.
After the deafening failure of the Russian team at this Olympics (which took penultimate place there), V.K. Dmitry Pavlovich ordered his annual Olympiads to be held in Russia, and before the outbreak of the First World War he even managed to hold two such “amusing” internal “Olympiads”, in Riga and Kyiv.
We can say that in the Romanov family he was “responsible” for sports, so that the current Russian sports curators had a predecessor of “blue” (in every sense of the term) blood.

Dmitry Pavlovich had a particularly close relationship with one of the leaders of the “grand ducal front,” Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich, also known for his homosexuality.

Grand Duke Nikolai Mikhailovich himself belonged, as they said, to “enthusiastic Anglophiles.”
He was closely acquainted with Ambassador Buchanan and Albert Stopford, the British diplomat and businessman, as well as with the British intelligence officers Stephen Alley, John Scale and Oswald Rayner, whom we will remember later.

One more surprising fact should be noted: on the day when the murder of G. Rasputin became known in Petrograd (December 17, 1916), a message was published in the capital's newspapers about the award of the Order of St. to Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich by the Sovereign. Equal to the Apostles Prince Vladimir 4th degree with swords and bow!
This is, of course, a coincidence, but an interesting coincidence.

It is known that the participants in the murder of the “elder” hoped that their “patriotic act” would serve as a signal for some kind of active political action on the part of those who hated the “German” Alexandra Feodorovna, and when this did not happen, they were indignant and expressed their reproaches to those of their mysterious supporters who got cold feet.
This is what Felix Yusupov subsequently wrote about this:

“We believed that Russia was saved and that with the disappearance of Rasputin a new era was opening up for it, we believed that we would find support everywhere and that people close to power, freed from this rogue, would unite and work energetically.
Could we then have imagined that those individuals whose hands were freed by Rasputin’s death would treat both the accomplished fact and their responsibilities with such criminal frivolity?
It never occurred to us that the thirst for honor, power, the search for personal benefits, and finally, simply cowardice and vile servility among the majority would take precedence over the feelings of duty and love for the Motherland.
After the death of Rasputin, how many opportunities opened up for all the influential and powerful... However, none of them wanted or were able to take advantage of the favorable moment.
I will not name these people; “Someday history will give a proper assessment of their attitude towards Russia.”

Needless to say, all these rosy hopes, based on the half-drunk conversations of the opposing nobles, disappeared like smoke.

Now - about some details of the investigation into the murder of Rasputin.
At first, the gang members did not act in coordination and categorically denied even that Rasputin was in the Yusupov palace on the night of the murder.
Felix Yusupov says:
“I slept until ten.
I had barely opened my eyes when they came to tell me that the police chief of the Kazan unit, General Grigoriev, wanted to see me on a very important matter.
Having quickly dressed, I went out to the office where General Grigoriev was waiting for me...
– Yes, I came to personally find out all the details of the case. Didn't Rasputin visit you last night?
- Rasputin? “He never comes to me,” I answered...

General Grigoriev told me how, early in the morning, a bailiff came to him, accompanied by a policeman who was on duty near our house, and stated that at night, at three o’clock, several shots were heard, after which the policeman walked through his area, but everything was quiet, deserted, and the janitors on duty slept at the gate. Suddenly someone called out to him and said: “Go quickly, the prince demands you.”
The policeman came to the call. He was shown into the office. There he saw me and some other gentleman who ran up to him and asked: “Do you know me?” “No way,” answered the policeman. “Have you heard about Purishkevich?” - "Yes sir". - “If you love the Tsar and your Motherland, swear that you will not tell anyone: Rasputin has been killed.” After this, the policeman was released, and he first returned to his post, but then he got scared and decided to report what had happened to his superiors.
I listened attentively, trying to express complete surprise on my face. I was bound by an oath with the participants in the conspiracy not to reveal our secret, since at that time we still hoped that we would be able to hide the traces of the murder ... "

Then Yusupov told General Grigoriev the following legend:
“Several friends and acquaintances came to dinner with me last night. Among them were: Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, Purishkevich, several officers. A lot of wine was drunk that evening, and everyone was very cheerful.
When the guests began to leave, I suddenly heard two shots in the yard, one after another, and then, going out to the entrance, I saw one of our yard dogs lying dead in the snow. One of my friends, being tipsy and driving away, fired a revolver and accidentally hit her.
Fearing that the shots would attract the attention of the police, I sent for a policeman to explain to him the reason for them. By this time almost all the guests had left, only Purishkevich remained. When the policeman came in to see me, Purishkevich ran up to him and began to say something quickly. I noticed that the policeman was embarrassed.
I don’t know what they were talking about, but from your words it is clear to me that Purishkevich, being also very tipsy and talking about the killed dog, compared it with Rasputin and regretted that it was not the “old man” who was killed, but the dog.
The policeman obviously did not understand him. This is the only way I can explain this misunderstanding. I really hope that everything will become clear soon and, if it is true that Rasputin has disappeared, then his disappearance will not be associated with the shot in our yard.

– Yes, now the reason is completely clear to me. Tell me, prince, who else did you have besides Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich and Purishkevich?
– I can’t answer this question for you. The matter, which in itself is trivial, can take a serious turn, and my friends are all family people, in the service and can innocently suffer.
“I am very grateful to you, prince, for the information,” said the general. “Now I’ll go to the mayor and tell him what I heard from you.” Everything you said sheds light on what happened and completely protects you from any troubles.”

It is important to emphasize two points here:
-Yusupov told the general that Purishkevich was “very tipsy” (although it was widely known that he did not drink alcohol at all);
- and admitted that that night there was a “cheerful company” in his palace, the personal composition of which he refused to disclose, because “all family people” were there.
An ordinary cheerful drinking party, and even in the palace of Prince Yusupov “himself”, is not a reproach for any “well done”, unless women of not the most difficult behavior participate in it, right?!
It is customary for “family people” to hide this circumstance from their faithful ones...

Anna Vyrubova also states in her memoirs that Purishkevich was drunk on the night of the murder:

“On the morning of December 17, one of Rasputin’s daughters (who studied in Petrograd and lived with their father) called me. She reported with some concern that their father did not return home, having left late in the evening with Yusupov...
In the palace I told the Empress about this. After listening to me, she expressed her bewilderment. An hour or two later, the Minister of Internal Affairs Protopopov called, who reported that at night a policeman standing guard near the Yusupovs’ house, having heard a shot in the house, called. A drunken Purishkevich ran out to him and told him that Rasputin had been killed, and the policeman noticed a military engine without lights, which drove away from the house shortly after the shots were fired...
We sat together in the Empress's office, very upset, awaiting further news. First, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich called, asking permission to come to tea at five o'clock.
The Empress, pale and thoughtful, refused him. Then Felix Yusupov called and asked permission to come with an explanation, either to the Empress or to me; called me several times to the phone; but the Empress did not allow me to approach, and ordered him to tell him that he could send her an explanation in writing.
In the evening they brought the Empress Yusupov’s famous letter, where he swears in the name of the Yusupov princes that Rasputin was not with them that evening. He actually saw Rasputin several times, but not that evening. Yesterday he had a party, they celebrated a housewarming and got drunk, and when leaving, Dmitry Pavlovich killed a dog in the yard. The Empress immediately sent this letter to the Minister of Justice.” (Her Majesty's maid of honor Anna Vyrubova. / Compiled by A. Kochetov. M., Orbita, 1993. P. 267–268)

Here is a vivid illustration of the popular saying that “a thief’s cap is on fire.”
And Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich and Felix Yusupov first “race” to “visit” the empress in order to “disown” their participation in the murder, and then (already together with Purishkevich) write her their completely lies letter, where they swear that they will not involved in the disappearance of Rasputin.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, in a letter dated December 17, reported to Nicholas II at Headquarters:
“We are all sitting together - you can imagine our feelings, thoughts - our Friend has disappeared. Yesterday Anna saw him, and he told her that Felix asked Him to come to him at night, that a car would pick him up so that He could see Irina.
A car picked him up (a military vehicle) with two civilians, and He drove away.
Tonight there is a huge scandal in the Yusupov house - a large meeting, Dmitry, Purishkevich, etc. - everyone is drunk. Police heard shots. Purishkevich ran out, shouting to the police that our Friend had been killed.
The police began a search, and then the investigator entered the Yusupov house - he did not dare to do this earlier, since Dmitry was there. The mayor sent for Dmitry. Felix intended to leave for Crimea tonight, I asked Kalinin (with this nickname, at the “insistence” of Rasputin, the royal couple called the Minister of Internal Affairs Protopopov) to detain him...

I bless you and kiss you.
Sun". (GA RF, F. 601. Op. 1. D. 1151; Correspondence of Nikolai and Alexandra Romanov. 1915–1916. T. V. M.; L., 1925. P. 203–204)

Let us emphasize that here too the queen (who received information from the police “first-hand”) writes to the king about a “big meeting” in Yusupov’s palace and that everyone there was “drunk.”

An attempt by the Petrograd mayor, General Balk, to conduct a search in Yusupov’s palace was easily stopped by Felix himself. Here's how he talks about it:

“The mayor replied that my testimony given to General Grigoriev was quite satisfactory..., but he must warn me that he received orders from Empress Alexandra Feodorovna to search our house on the Moika, in view of suspicious night shots and rumors about my involvement in the disappearance of Rasputin .
“My wife is the Sovereign’s niece,” I said, “but persons of the imperial family and their homes are inviolable, and any measures against them can only be taken on the orders of the Sovereign Emperor himself.”

The mayor had to agree with me and immediately gave an order over the phone to cancel the search.
It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I was afraid that at night, when cleaning the rooms, we might not notice a lot, so at all costs we should not allow a search until all traces of what had happened were destroyed by a secondary inspection and the most thorough cleaning.
Satisfied that I managed to eliminate the search, I said goodbye to General Balk and returned to the Moika.
My fears were justified. As I walked around the dining room and stairs, I noticed that in daylight there were brown stains on the floors and carpets. I called my valet and we cleaned the entire place again. Our work went quickly, and soon everything in the house was finished.”

It’s strange: where could the “brown stains” of Rasputin’s blood appear “on the floor and on the carpets” of the stairs and the dining room, if, according to Felix Yusupov, his first shot (in the old man’s chest) did not lead to bleeding from Rasputin’s body, because the bullet didn’t go right through, but they finished off (and killed) the “resurrected” Rasputin already in the courtyard, near the bars of the Yusupov palace?!
Well, okay, there are a lot of contradictions and absurdities in their version.

By evening, the trio of the main members of the gang urgently gathered in the V.K. palace. Dmitry Pavlovich in order to develop a more or less agreed upon “cover story.”
Purishkevich recalled:

“At five o’clock in the evening... Lieutenant S. conveyed to me Dmitry Pavlovich’s request to immediately come to his palace. I got into the car with him and we drove off.
In the palace, I found, in addition to the owner, Yusupov, both of them were extremely excited, drinking cup after cup of black coffee and cognac, declaring that they had not gone to bed at all that night and that they had spent the day extremely anxiously, for Empress Alexandra Feodorovna was already aware of the disappearance and even death of Rasputin and calls us the culprits of his murder.
The maid of honor Golovina, Rasputin's secretary, reported where Grigory Efimovich went in the evening, the entire police and the entire detective department were already on their feet in order to find the body of the murdered man and find all the threads of this case.
“I,” Yusupov remarked to me, “because of this bastard, I had to shoot one of my best dogs and lay it in that place in the yard where the snow was stained with the blood of the “old man” you killed.”
I did this in case our Sherlock Holmeses, having got on the sure trail of the disappeared Rasputin, wished to analyze the blood or resort to police dogs. “I,” he concluded, “spent the rest of the night with my soldiers putting the house in order, and now, as you see, V.M., we are composing a letter to Alexandra Feodorovna with Dmitry Pavlovich, which we hope to deliver to her today.”

I took part in the further exposition of this letter, which we completed an hour and a half after my arrival.

When the letter was completed and sealed, Dmitry Pavlovich left the office to send it to its destination, although all three of us felt some awkwardness in front of each other, because everything written in the letter was a skillfully thought-out lie and portrayed us as an undeservedly insulted virtue.”

A letter from Prince F.F. has also been preserved. Yusupov Count Sumarokov-Elston to Empress Alexandra Feodorovna regarding G.E. Rasputin, here it is:
"December 17, 1916
Your Imperial Majesty,
I hasten to carry out your orders and tell you everything that happened to me last night in order to shed light on the terrible accusation that has been laid upon me.
On the occasion of a housewarming on the night of December 16th, I hosted a dinner at my place, to which I invited my friends, several ladies. Vel. Prince Dmitry Pavlovich was also there.
At about 12 Grigory Efimovich telephoned me, inviting me to go with him to the gypsies. I refused, saying that I had an evening myself, and asked where he was calling me from. He replied, “You want to know too much,” and hung up. When he spoke, many voices were heard. That's all I heard that evening about Grigory Efimovich.
Returning from the phone to my guests, I told them my conversation on the phone, which caused them to make careless remarks. You know, Your Majesty, that the name Gregory was very unpopular in many other circles.
At about 3 o'clock I began my journey and, having said goodbye to the Grand Duke and two ladies, I went with others to my office.
Suddenly it seemed to me that a shot rang out somewhere. I called the man and ordered him to find out what was the matter. He returned and said: “A shot was heard, but it’s unknown where.” Then I myself went into the yard and personally asked the janitors and the policeman who shot. The janitors said that they were drinking tea in the janitor's room, and the policeman said that he heard a shot, but did not know who shot.
Then I went home, ordered to call the policeman and telephoned Dmitry Pavlovich myself, asking if he had fired.
He answered me, laughing, that while leaving the house, he shot several times at a yard dog and that one lady fainted.
When I told him that the shots caused a sensation, he answered me that this could not be, because there was no one around.
I called the man and went into the yard myself and saw one of our yard dogs killed near the fence. Then I ordered the man to bury it in the garden.
At 4 o'clock everyone left, and I returned to the palace. Prince Alexander Mikhailovich, where I live. The next day, that is, this morning, I learned about the disappearance of Grigory Efimovich, which is connected with my evening. Then they told me that they allegedly saw me with him at night, and that he left with me.
This is a complete lie, because all evening my guests and I did not leave my house. Then they told me that he told someone that he would go one of these days to meet Irina.
There is some truth in this, because the last time I saw him, he asked me to introduce him to Irina and asked if she was here. I told him that my wife was in Crimea, but she was arriving on December 15th or 16th. On the evening of the 14th I received a telegram from Irina in which she wrote that she was ill and asked me to come along with her brothers, who were leaving that evening.
I cannot find words, Your Majesty, to tell you how shocked I am by everything that happened, and to what extent the accusations that are being leveled against me seem wild to me.
I remain deeply devoted to Your Majesty.
Felix". (GA RF. F. 640. Op. 2. D. 50. L. 1–2 volumes; “Red Archive”. 1923. T. 4. P. 424–426)

Let us emphasize once again that the “grand ducal nobility”, coupled with princely “honesty” and “noble honor”, ​​did not prevent these “excellencies” from brazenly lying to “their adored monarchs”, just like the most common criminals do in order to save their skins from retribution for what he has done.
True, they usually do not assure investigators of their “deep devotion” to them, this is completely “bad”...

It is important to note that here for the first time it is mentioned that “several ladies” were present at this night “party” in the palace of Prince Yusupov and that one lady even “fainted” there.

In the next chapter we will continue the story about the role and behavior of Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich in this whole dirty story.

“After all my meetings with Rasputin, everything I saw and heard, I was finally convinced that all the evil and the main cause of all the misfortunes of Russia are hidden in him: there will be no Rasputin, there will not be that satanic force into whose hands the Tsar and the Empress fell.”

Serov, Valentin Alexandrovich. Portrait of Prince F.F. Yusupova. 1903.

Felix Yusupov is one of the most controversial characters in Russian history. Despite his untold wealth, the last of the Yusupov family, Prince Felix Feliksovich, is remembered more as a participant in the conspiracy against the famous elder of the people, the Russian peasant Grigory Raputin. And even the fact that Felix Yusupov was one of the richest people in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century, he remained in history not as a rich man, but as a murderer. Meanwhile, the personality was very interesting. Just look at the memoirs he left behind, in which he describes in detail both the “elimination” of Rasputin and the events preceding it.

But who really was Felix Yusupov? And how justified was the fact of killing the “elder” on the scale of a huge country - the Russian Empire, which supposedly stood on the threshold of the abyss with the arrival of Grigory Rasputin in the royal house? But first, a little about Felix Yusupov himself.

So, Felix Feliksovich Count Sumarokov-Elston, Prince Yusupov (1887-1967) is the great-great-grandson of M.I. Kutuzov and a collateral grandson of the Prussian king Frederick William IV.

“I was born on March 24, 1887 in our St. Petersburg house on the Moika. The day before, they assured me, my mother danced the night away at a ball in the Winter Palace, which means they said the child would be cheerful and inclined to dance. Indeed, by nature I am a merry fellow, but I am a bad dancer.

At baptism I received the name Felix. I was baptized by my maternal grandfather, Prince Nikolai Yusupov, and my great-grandmother, Countess de Chauveau. At the christening in my home church, the priest almost drowned me in the font, where he dipped me three times according to Orthodox custom. They say I forcibly came to my senses.

I was born so frail that the doctors gave me a day to live, and so ugly that my five-year-old brother Nikolai shouted when he saw me: “Throw him out the window!”

I was born the fourth boy. Two died in infancy. While carrying me, my mother was expecting her daughter, and they made a pink trousseau for the children. My mother was disappointed with me and, to console herself, she dressed me as a girl until I was five. I was not upset, on the contrary, I was proud. “Look,” I shouted to passers-by on the street, “how beautiful I am!” Mother’s whim subsequently left its mark on my character.” (Prince Felix Yusupov. Memoirs)

In adolescence, the prince suffered from sleepwalking, and throughout his life he was prone to mysticism. He was no stranger to oddities, quirks and shocking antics. “Sladu was not with me. I did not tolerate coercion. If I want something, take it out and put it in; indulged his whims and thirsted for freedom, and then there was a flood.”

A year before Valentin Serov painted the portrait of the “graphic artist” (as the artist ironically called young Felix behind his back), his parents sent their fifteen-year-old son on a trip to Italy “with the old art teacher Adrian Prakhov.” The famous art historian and archaeologist “taught me, however, not exactly what he should have,” Felix Yusupov later complained. The mentor and student visited Renaissance churches and museums during the day and brothels at night.

Young Yusupov very soon became a “socialite,” a transvestite and bisexual. At the Parisian Theater De Capucine, in a luxurious women's outfit, he even attracted the attention of King Edward VII himself. In his female guise, he will perform gypsy songs as a soprano at the Aquarium, the most luxurious cabaret in St. Petersburg, and the officers will invite him to dinner at the Bear’s. “The women submitted to me, but they didn’t stay with me for long. I was already used to being looked after, and I didn’t want to look after me. And most importantly, I loved only myself. I liked being the object of love and attention. And even this was not important, but it was important that all my whims were fulfilled.”

Years later, Felix Yusupov one day, in a difficult moment, will stop in front of Serov’s portrait hanging in Arkhangelskoye. This will happen when his older brother Nikolai dies in a duel, and he will become the sole heir to the entire Yusupov fortune. “An endless park with statues and hornbeam alleys. A palace with priceless treasures. And someday they will be mine, he thought at that moment. “But this is a small fraction of all the wealth destined for me by fate.” I am one of the richest people in Russia! This thought was intoxicating... Luxury, wealth and power - this seemed to be life to me. I hated the squalor... But what if a war or revolution ruins me?.. But this thought was unbearable. I rather returned to myself. On the way, I stopped in front of my own portrait by Serov. He looked at himself carefully. Serov is a genuine physiognomist; he captured character like no one else. The boy in the portrait before me was proud, vain and heartless. Therefore, the death of my brother did not change me: still the same selfish dreams? And I became so disgusted with myself that I almost committed suicide! And that’s to say: I felt sorry for my parents.”

Felix had a long and strange life ahead of him. He studied for three years at Oxford University College, but did not acquire much education or high culture. He studied in the Corps of Pages. Travel the length and breadth of Europe. He became related to the royal family, successfully marrying the niece of Emperor Nicholas II, Princess Irina Alexandrovna: her mother was the sovereign’s sister. And after 1919 he would leave his beloved Russia forever. In exile - in Paris, he will write extensive memoirs in French, as well as a separate book about the murder of Rasputin. In them, with his characteristic aristocracy and stubbornness, completely devoid of self-criticism, he will tell who the “evil genius Rasputin” really was.

"Rasputin must disappear"

“At the end of August 1915, it was officially announced that Grand Duke Nicholas was removed from the post of commander in chief and sent to the Caucasian front, and the emperor himself took command of the army. Society greeted the news with, in general, hostility. It was no secret to anyone that everything was done under the pressure of the “elder”. Rasputin, persuading the tsar, first intrigued, then finally appealed to his Christian conscience. The Emperor, no matter how slight a hindrance he may be, would still be better out of sight. No Nikolai - hands are untied. With the departure of the sovereign to the army, Rasputin began to visit Tsarskoe almost every day. His advice and opinions acquired the force of law and were immediately transferred to Headquarters. Not a single military decision was made without asking the “elder”. The queen trusted him blindly, and he solved pressing and sometimes secret state issues head-on. Through the empress, Rasputin ruled the state.

The grand dukes and nobles hatched a conspiracy to remove the empress from power and tonsure her hair. Rasputin was supposed to be exiled to Siberia, the Tsar to be deposed, and Tsarevich Alexei to be elevated to the throne. Everyone, right down to the generals, was in the conspiracy. The English ambassador, Sir George Buchanan, who had relations with left-wing parties, was suspected of assisting the revolutionaries.

In the imperial circle, many tried to explain to the sovereign how dangerous the influence of the “elder” was both for the dynasty and for Russia as a whole. But everyone had the same answer: “Everything is slander. Saints are always slandered.” During one orgy, the “saint” was photographed and the photographs were shown to the queen. She became angry and ordered the police to find the scoundrel who supposedly dared to pretend to be an “old man” in order to discredit him. Empress Maria Feodorovna wrote to the Tsar, begging him to remove Rasputin and prohibit the Tsarina from interfering in state affairs. She was not the only one who prayed for this. The king told the queen, for he had told her everything. She ended relations with everyone who allegedly “put pressure” on the sovereign.

My mother was one of the first to speak out against the “elder”. One day she had a particularly long conversation with the queen and, it would seem, was able to open her eyes to the “Russian peasant.” But Rasputin and company did not sleep. They found a thousand excuses and removed Mother from the Empress. They didn't see each other for a long time. Finally, in the summer of 1916, my mother decided to try one last time and asked to be received at the Alexander Palace. The queen greeted her coldly and, having learned about the purpose of the visit, asked her to leave the palace. Mother replied that she would not leave until she said everything. And she really said everything. The Empress listened silently, stood up and, turning to leave, said goodbye: “I hope we won’t see each other again.”

Later, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fedorovna, also almost never visiting Tsarskoe, came to talk with her sister. After that we waited for her at home. We sat on pins and needles, wondering how it would end. She came to us trembling and in tears. “My sister kicked me out like a dog! - she exclaimed. “Poor Niki, poor Russia!”

Germany, meanwhile, sent spies from Sweden and corrupt bankers to surround the “old man.” Rasputin, when drunk, became talkative and blurted out everything to them involuntarily, or even voluntarily. I think this is how Germany learned the day of Lord Kitchener’s arrival to us. Kitchener's ship, sailing to Russia to persuade the Emperor to expel Rasputin and remove the Empress from power, was destroyed on June 6, 1916.

In this year, 1916, when things were getting worse at the front, and the tsar was weakening from the narcotic potions with which he was doped every day at the instigation of Rasputin, the “old man” became omnipotent. Not only did he appoint and dismiss ministers and generals, push around bishops and archbishops, he set out to depose the sovereign, place the sick heir on the throne, declare the empress regent and conclude a separate peace with Germany.

There was no hope left for the sovereigns to open their eyes. How, in this case, can we rid Russia of its evil genius? Grand Duke Dmitry and Duma deputy Purishkevich asked the same question as me. Without talking yet, each one alone, we came to a single conclusion: Rasputin must be removed, even at the cost of murder.

“Rasputin - What he was like - Causes and consequences of his influence”

Our memory is woven from light and shadow, the memories left by a stormy life are sometimes sad, sometimes joyful, sometimes tragic, sometimes wonderful. There are beautiful ones, there are terrible ones, those that would have been better not to have existed at all.

In 1927, I wrote the book “The End of Rasputin” simply because it was necessary to tell the truth in response to the false stories that were published everywhere. Today I would not return to this truth if I could leave a gap in my memoirs. And only the importance and seriousness of the matter makes me fill the page. I will briefly retell the facts that I wrote about in detail in that first book.

Much has been said about Rasputin's political role. But the “old man” himself and his wild behavior, which may be the reason for his success, are less described. Therefore, I think, before telling about what happened in the basements on the Moika, we need to talk in more detail about the subject whom Grand Duke Dmitry and Deputy Purishkevich and I decided to destroy.

He was born in 1871 in Pokrovskaya Sloboda, Tobolsk province. Grigory Efimovich’s parent is a bitter drunkard, thief and profit dealer Efim Novykh. The son followed in his father’s footsteps - he bought horses and was a “varnak”. “Varnak” among the Siberians means an inveterate scoundrel. Growing up, Gregory was called “the libertine” in the village, hence his surname. The peasants beat him with sticks, the bailiff, on the orders of the police chief, was publicly punished with a whip, but he, no matter what, only became stronger.

The influence of the local priest awakened in him a craving for mysticism. This desire, however, was rather dubious: his rough, sensual temperament soon led him to the Khlysty sect. The Khlysty allegedly communicated with the Holy Spirit and embodied God through “Christs” through the most unbridled passions. There were pagan and completely primitive remnants and prejudices in this Khlyst heresy. For their nightly zeal, they gathered in a hut or in a clearing, burned hundreds of candles and brought themselves to religious ecstasy and erotic delirium. First there were prayers and chants, then round dances. They started circling slowly, sped up, and finally spun around like crazy. Vertigo was required for “God’s illumination.” Whoever is weak is whipped by the leader of the Round Dance. And now everyone fell to the ground in ecstatic writhing. The round dance ended with general copulation. However, the “Holy Spirit” has already moved into them, and they are not responsible for themselves: the Spirit speaks and acts through them, therefore, the sin committed at his direction lies on him.

Rasputin was a special master of “God’s insights.” He set up a log house without windows in his yard, a bathhouse, so to speak), where he staged performances with a Khlyst mystical-sadistic scent.

The priests informed him, and he had to leave the village. By that time he was thirty-three years old. And he started walking around Siberia, and further across Russia, to large monasteries. He went out of his way to seem like the holiest person. He tortured himself like a fakir, developing his will and the magnetic power of his gaze. I read Church Slavonic books in monastery libraries. Having no previous training and not burdened with knowledge, he immediately memorized texts, not understanding them, but putting them in Memory. In the future, they were useful to him in order to conquer not only the ignorant, but also knowledgeable people, and the queen herself, who completed a course in philosophy at Oxford.

In St. Petersburg, at the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, he was received by his father John of Kronstadt. At first, Father John bowed his soul to this “young Siberian oracle” and saw in him a “spark of God.”

Petersburg, therefore, was conquered. New opportunities have opened up for the scammer. And he returned to his village, having made his profits. First he makes friends with semi-literate sextons and clerks, then he wins over priests and abbots. These too see him as a “messenger of God.”

And that's what the devil wants. In Tsaritsyn, he deflowers a nun under the pretext of exorcizing demons. In Kazan, he was seen running out of a brothel with a naked girl in front of him, whom he whipped with a belt. In Tobolsk, he seduces his husband's wife, a pious lady, the wife of an engineer, and brings her to the point where she loudly shouts about her passion for him and boasts of her shame. So what? The whip is allowed to do everything! And the sinful connection with him is the grace of God.

The glory of the “saint” is growing by leaps and bounds. The people kneel down when they see him. “Our Christ; Our Savior, pray for us sinners! The Lord will listen to you!” And he said to them: “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I bless you, brothers. Believe! Christ will come soon. Endure the Honest Crucifixion for the sake of it! For his sake, mortify your flesh!..”

Such was the man who in 1906 introduced himself as a young chosen one of God, learned, but simple-minded; Archimandrite Feofan, rector of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and personal confessor of the Empress. He, Feofan, an honest and pious shepherd, would become his patron in St. Petersburg church circles.

The St. Petersburg prophet quickly conquered the capital's occultists and necromancers. Some of the first, most ardent adherents of the “man of God” are the Montenegrin Grand Duchesses. It was they who brought the magician Philip to the court in 1900. It is they who will introduce Rasputin to the Emperor and Empress. Archimandrite Feofan’s review dispelled the sovereign’s last doubts:

“Grigory Efimovich is a simple peasant. It is useful for Your Majesties to listen to the voice of the Russian land itself. I know what they blame him for. All his sins are known to me. There are many of them, some serious ones. But such is the strength of his repentance and his simple-minded faith in the mercy of God that, I am sure, he is destined for eternal bliss. Having repented, he is as pure as a child, only taken out of the font. The Lord clearly marked him.”

Rasputin turned out to be cunning and far-sighted: he did not hide his peasant origin. “A man in greased boots is trampling the palace parquet,” he will say to himself. But he doesn’t make his career out of flattery, not at all. He speaks harshly to the sovereigns, almost rudely and stupidly - “in the voice of the Russian land.” Maurice Paleologue, at that time the French ambassador in St. Petersburg, said that, having asked one lady whether she was also interested in Rasputin, he heard in response:

"I? Not at all! Physically, he’s even disgusting to me! Hands are dirty, nails are black, beard is unkempt! Phew!.. But he’s still interesting! He is a passionate and artistic person. Sometimes very eloquent. He has imagination and a sense of the mysterious... He is sometimes simple, sometimes mocking, sometimes passionate, sometimes stupid, sometimes cheerful, sometimes poetic. But at the same time it is always natural. Moreover: shameless and cynical astonishingly..."

Anna Vyrubova, the queen's maid of honor and confidante, very soon became Rasputin's friend and ally. I have already told you about her, nee Taneyeva, one of my childhood friends, a fat and plain-looking young lady. In 1903, she became the Empress's maid of honor, and four years later she married naval officer Vyrubov. They were married with great pomp in the Tsarskoe Selo palace church. The Empress was a witness at the wedding ceremony. A few days later she wanted to introduce Anyuta to the “elder”. Blessing the newlywed, Rasputin said: “Your marriage will not be happy or long.” The prediction came true.

The young people settled in Tsarskoe near the Alexander Palace. One evening, returning home, Vyrubov discovered that the door was locked. They told him that the Empress and Rasputin were visiting his wife. He waited for them to leave, entered the house and created a stormy scene for his wife, because the day before he strictly forbade her to receive the “elder”. They say that he beat her. Anyuta ran out of the house and rushed to the empress, begging her to protect her from her husband, who, she screamed, would kill her. Soon the divorce took place.

The matter is sensational. Its participants turned out to be too significant. The consequences were fatal. The Empress defended Anna. Rasputin did not yawn and managed to subjugate the empress's friend. And henceforth she became his obedient instrument.

Vyrubova was not worthy of the empress's friendship. She loved to love the empress, but not at all disinterestedly. She loved as the master’s slave loves, she did not let anyone near the sick, anxious queen, and for this purpose she slandered everyone around her.

As Tsaritsyn's confidante, Anna Taneyeva-Vyrubova was in a special position, and with the appearance of Rasputin she received new opportunities. She was not smart enough to be involved in politics, but she could influence as a party, at least as a mediator. The thought intoxicated her. She will reveal to Rasputin all the secrets of the empress and help him take over state affairs.

And so it happened: the “elder” quickly came into power. Endless petitioners flocked to him. There were high officials, church hierarchs, high society ladies, and many others.

Rasputin acquired a valuable assistant - the therapist Badmaev, a man of Eastern origin, an ignorant doctor, who claimed that he had brought from Mongolia magical herbs and potions that he had obtained from Tibetan magicians by hook or by crook. But in fact, he himself brewed these potions from powders taken from a pharmacist friend. He served his dope and stimulants as “Tibetan Elixir”, “Nguyen-Chen Balm”, “Black Lotus Essence”, etc. The charlatan and the “elder” were worthy of each other and quickly found a common language.

As you know, trouble has come, open the gate. The defeat in the Russo-Japanese War, the revolutionary unrest of 1905, and the illness of the prince increased the need for God's help, and therefore for the “messenger of God.”

In truth, Rasputin’s main trump card was the blinding of the unfortunate Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. It is difficult to say what explains and, perhaps to some extent, excuses it.

Princess Alice of Hesse came to Russia in mourning. She became a queen without having time to either get used to it or make friends with the people over whom she was going to reign. But, immediately finding herself in the center of everyone’s attention, she, naturally shy and nervous, became completely embarrassed and stiff. And therefore she was known as cold and callous. And there is both arrogant and contemptuous. But she had faith in her special mission and a passionate desire to help her husband, shocked by the death of his father and the severity of his new role. She began to interfere in the affairs of the state. Then they decided that she was, in addition, power-hungry, and the sovereign was weak. The young queen realized that neither the court nor the people liked her, and completely withdrew into herself.

Conversion to Orthodoxy strengthened her natural inclination towards mysticism and exaltation. Hence her craving for the sorcerers Papus and Philip, then for the “elder”. But the main reason for her blind faith in the “man of God” is the terrible illness of the prince. The first person for a mother is the one in whom she sees the savior of her child. Moreover, the son, beloved and long-awaited, for whose life she trembles every minute, is the heir to the throne! Playing on the parental and royal feelings of the sovereigns, Rasputin took all of Russia into his hands.

Of course, Rasputin had hypnotic powers. Minister Stolypin, who openly fought with him, told how, having once called him to himself, he almost fell under his hypnosis himself:

“He fixed his colorless eyes on me and began spouting Bible verses, waving his arms strangely. I felt disgust for the rogue and at the same time his very strong psychological impact on me. However, I controlled myself, told him to shut up and said that he was entirely in my power.”

Stolypin, who miraculously survived the first attempt on his life in 1906, was killed shortly after this meeting.

The scandalous behavior of the “elder,” his behind-the-scenes influence on state affairs, and the unbridledness of his morals finally outraged far-sighted people. The press, regardless of censorship, has already taken up this issue.

Rasputin decided to disappear for a while. In March 1911, he took the pilgrim's staff and went to Jerusalem. Later he appeared in Tsaritsyn, where he spent the summer with his friend, Hieromonk Iliodor. In the winter he returned to St. Petersburg and again went into all serious troubles.

The “elder” seemed holy only from a distance. The cab drivers who took him and the girls to the baths, the waiters who served him at night orgies, the spies who followed him, knew the value of his “holiness.” This was, of course, to the benefit of the revolutionaries.

Others, initially his patrons, saw the light. Archimandrite Feofan, cursing himself for his blindness, could not forgive himself for introducing Rasputin to the court. He publicly spoke out against the “elder”. And all he achieved was that he was exiled to Taurida. At the same time, the Tobolsk diocese was given to a corrupt, ignorant monk, an old friend of his. This allowed the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod to present Rasputin for ordination. The Orthodox Church objected. Bishop Hermogenes of Saratov especially protested. He gathered priests and monks, including Rasputin's former comrade Iliodor, and called the "elder" to him. The meeting was stormy. The candidate for priests did not fare well. They shouted: “Damned! Blasphemer! Libertine! Dirty cattle! A tool of the devil!..” Finally, they simply spat in his face. Rasputin tried to respond with abuse. His Holiness, of gigantic stature, hit Rasputin on the top of the head with his pectoral cross: “On your knees, you wretch! Kneel before the holy icons!.. Ask the Lord for forgiveness for your indecencies! Swear that you will no longer desecrate the palace of our sovereign with your presence!..”

Rasputin, sweating and bleeding from his nose, began beating his chest, muttering prayers, swearing everything they demanded. But as soon as he left them, he rushed to Tsarskoye Selo to complain. Revenge followed immediately. A few days later, Hermogenes was removed from his bishopric, and Iliodor was captured and exiled to serve his sentence in a distant monastery. And yet Rasputin did not receive the priesthood.

Following the church, the Duma rose up. “I will sacrifice myself, I will kill the scoundrel myself!” – Deputy Purishkevich shouted. Vladimir Nikolaevich Kokovtsov, chairman of the Council of Ministers, went to the Tsar and begged him to send Rasputin to Siberia. On the same day, Rasputin called a close friend of Kokovtsov. “Your friend the chairman bullied the Pope,” he said. - He said nasty things to me, but what's the point? Mom and Dad still love me. So tell your Nikolaich Volodka.” Under pressure from Rasputin and his comrades in 1914, V.N. Kokovtsov was removed from the post of chairman of the council.

The Emperor, however, realized that he should give in to public opinion. Only once did he not heed the empress’s pleas and sent Rasputin to his village in Siberia.

For two years, the “elder” appeared in St. Petersburg only briefly, but people in the palace still danced to his tune. When leaving, he warned: “I know that they will blaspheme me. Don't listen to anyone! Leave me, and in six months you will lose both the throne and the boy.”

One friend of the “elder” received a letter from Papus to the empress, written at the end of 1915, which ended like this: “From a cabalistic point of view, Rasputin is like Pandora’s box. It contains all the sins, atrocities and abominations of the Russian people. If this box breaks, the contents will immediately scatter throughout Russia.”

In the fall of 1912, the royal family was in Spala, Poland. A minor bruise caused the prince to bleed severely. The child was dying. In the church there the priests prayed day and night. In Moscow, a prayer service was served in front of the miraculous icon of the Iveron Mother of God. In St. Petersburg, people constantly lit candles in the Kazan Cathedral. Rasputin was told everything. He telegraphed to the queen: “The Lord has seen your tears and heeded your prayers. Don’t crash, your son will live.” The next day the boy's fever subsided. Two days later, the prince recovered and became stronger. And the unfortunate empress’s faith in Rasputin strengthened.

In 1914, a certain peasant woman stabbed Rasputin with a knife. For more than a month his life hung in the balance. Contrary to all expectations, the “elder” recovered from the terrible knife wound. In September he returned to St. Petersburg. At first, he seemed to be somewhat distant. The Empress was busy with her hospital, workshops, and ambulance train. Those close to her said that she had never been so good. Rasputin did not appear at the palace without calling first. This was new. Everyone noticed and rejoiced. However, the “elder” was surrounded by influential people who associated their own success with him. Soon he became even stronger than before.

In July 15th, the new chief prosecutor of the Synod, Samarin, reported to the emperor that he would not be able to fulfill his duties if Rasputin continued to push around the church authorities. The Emperor ordered the expulsion of the “elder,” but a month later he returned to St. Petersburg.

Conspiracy – Hypnosis session – Confession of the “elder”

Confident that action was necessary, I opened up to Irina. She and I were like-minded people. I hoped that I would easily find determined people who were ready to act with me. I talked first with one, then with the other. And my hopes were dispelled. Those who were seething with hatred for the “old man” suddenly loved him as soon as I suggested moving from words to deeds. Your own peace of mind and safety turned out to be more valuable.

Duma Chairman Rodzianko answered, however, quite differently. “How can we act here,” he said, “if all the ministers and those close to His Majesty are Rasputin’s people? Yes, there is only one way out: kill the scoundrel. But in Russia there is not a single daredevil for this. If I weren't so old, I would have finished him off myself."

Rodzianka’s words strengthened me. But is it possible to calmly think about how exactly you will kill?

I have already said that I am not a warrior by nature. In the internal struggle that was taking place in me, a force that was not characteristic of me prevailed.

Dmitry was at Headquarters. In his absence, I often saw Lieutenant Sukhotin, who was wounded at the front and was undergoing treatment in St. Petersburg. He was a reliable friend. I trusted him and asked if he would help. Sukhotin promised without hesitating for a moment.

Our conversation took place on the day when I returned to. K. Dmitry. I met him the next morning. The Grand Duke admitted that he himself had long been thinking about murder, although he could not imagine a way to kill the “elder”. Dmitry shared with me the impressions he took from Headquarters. They were worried. It seemed to him that the sovereign was being deliberately doped with a potion, supposedly a medicine, in order to paralyze his will. Dmitry added that he had to return to Headquarters, but he would probably not stay there for long, because the palace commandant, General Voeikov, wanted to distance him from the sovereign.

In the evening Lieutenant Sukhotin came to see me. I recounted to him our conversation with the Grand Duke, and we immediately began to think about a plan of action. They decided that I would become friends with Rasputin and gain his trust in order to know exactly about his political steps.

We have not yet completely given up the hope of doing without bloodshed, for example, of paying him off with money. If bloodshed was inevitable, the last decision remained to be made. I suggested casting lots as to which of us would shoot at the “old man.”

Very soon, my friend, young lady G., from whom I met Rasputin in 1909, called me and invited me to come to her mother the next day to see the “old man.” Grigory Efimovich wanted to renew acquaintance.

The animal runs towards the catcher. But, I admit, it was painful to abuse the trust of Mlle G., who did not suspect anything. I had to drown out the voice of my conscience.

The next day, therefore, I arrived at G. Very soon the “old man” also arrived. He has changed a lot. He got fat, his face was swollen. He no longer wore a simple peasant caftan; he now sported a blue silk shirt with embroidery and velvet trousers. In his manner, it seemed to me, he was even ruder and more shameless.

When he noticed me, he winked and smiled. Then he came up and kissed me, and I had difficulty hiding my disgust. Rasputin seemed preoccupied and paced restlessly back and forth in the living room. He asked several times if they had called him on the phone. Finally he sat down next to me and began to ask what I was doing these days. I asked when I was leaving for the front. I tried to answer kindly, but his patronizing tone irritated me.

Having heard everything he wanted to know about me, Rasputin launched into lengthy, incoherent discussions about the Lord God and love for one's neighbor. In vain I searched for meaning in them or even a hint of the personal. The more I listened, the more convinced I became that he himself did not understand what he was talking about. He spilled, and his fans looked at him reverently and enthusiastically. They absorbed every word, seeing the deepest mystical meaning in everything.

Rasputin always boasted of his gift as a healer, and I decided that in order to get closer to him, I would ask him to heal me. I told him that I was sick. He said I was very tired and the doctors couldn’t do anything.

“I’ll cure you,” he replied. - Doctors don’t understand anything. But for me, my dear, everyone gets better, because I treat like the Lord, and my treatment is not human, but God’s. But you'll see for yourself.

Then the phone rang. “I must,” he said worriedly. “Go find out what’s the matter,” he ordered Mademoiselle G. The girl immediately left, not at all surprised by the boss’s tone.

They actually called Rasputin. After talking on the phone, he returned with an upset face, hastily said goodbye and left.

I decided not to seek a meeting with him until he himself showed up.

He showed up soon. That same evening they brought me a note from young lady G. In it, she conveyed an apology from Rasputin for his sudden departure and invited him to come the next day and bring a guitar with him, at the request of the “old man.” Having learned that I was singing, he wanted to listen to me. I immediately agreed.

And this time again I came to G. a little earlier than Rasputin. While he was gone, I asked the hostess why he left so suddenly the day before.

“He was informed that some important matter threatened to end badly. Fortunately,” the girl added, “everything worked out.” Grigory Efimovich became angry and shouted a lot, they got scared and gave in.

- Where exactly? – I asked.

Mll. G. stopped short.

“In Tsarskoe Selo,” she said reluctantly.

The “elder,” as it turned out, was worried about the appointment of Protopopov to the post of Minister of Internal Affairs. The Rasputinites were in favor, everyone else dissuaded the Tsar. As soon as Rasputin appeared in Tsarskoe, the appointment took place.

Rasputin arrived in excellent spirits and with a thirst for communication.

“Don’t be angry, my dear, about what happened yesterday,” he told me. - It's not my fault. It was necessary to punish the villains. Many of them are now divorced.

“I settled everything,” he continued, turning to Miss G., “I had to hurry to the palace myself.” Before I could enter, Annushka was right there. He whines and babbles: “Everything is lost, Grigory Efimych, only hope is for you. And here you are, thank God.” I was accepted immediately. I look - Mom is not in a good mood, and Dad is walking around the room back and forth, back and forth. As soon as I shouted, they immediately calmed down. And when he threatened that I would leave and well, they completely agreed to everything.

We went to the dining room. Mlle G. poured tea and treated the “old man” with sweets and cakes.

– Have you seen how kind and affectionate she is? - he said. - Always thinks about me. Did you bring your guitar?

- Yes, here she is.

- Well, come on, sing, we’ll listen.

I made an effort, took the guitar and sang a gypsy romance.

“Eat well,” he said. - You whine with your soul. Sing again.

I sang more, both sad and happy. Rasputin wanted a continuation.

“You seem to like the way I sing,” I said. - But if you knew how bad I feel. There seems to be enthusiasm and a desire, but it doesn’t turn out the way we would like. I'm getting tired soon. Doctors are treating me, but to no avail.

- Yes, I’ll correct you right away. Let's go together to the gypsies, all the ailments will go away as if by hand.

– I’ve already walked, I’ve walked more than once. And it didn’t help at all,” I answered with a laugh.

Rasputin also laughed.

- But with me, my dove, it’s a different matter. With me, darling, the fun is different. Let's go, you won't regret it.

And Rasputin told in detail how he played tricks with the gypsies, how he sang and danced with them.

Mother and daughter G. did not know where to put their eyes. The greasy manners of the “old man” confused them.

“Don’t believe anything,” the ladies said. - Grigory Efimovich is joking. This was not the case. He's talking about himself.

The owner's excuses infuriated Rasputin. He slammed his fist on the table and swore dirty. The ladies fell silent. The “elder” turned to me again.

“Well,” he said, “let’s go to the gypsies?” I'm telling you, I'll correct you. You will see. You'll say thank you later. And we’ll take the girl with us.

Mlle G. blushed, her mother turned pale.

“Grigory Efimovich,” she said, “what is this?” Why are you disgracing yourself? And what does my daughter have to do with it? She wants to pray with you, and you take her to the gypsies... It’s not good to say that...

- What else did you come up with? – Rasputin answered, looking at her angrily. “You don’t know what, if you’re with me, there’s no sin.” And what fly bit you today? And you, my dear,” he continued, turning to me again, “don’t listen to her, do what I say, and everything will be fine.”

I didn’t want to go to the gypsies at all. However, not wanting to refuse outright, I replied that I was enrolled in the page corps and did not have the right to attend entertainment establishments.

But Rasputin stood his ground. He assured me that he would dress me up so that no one would recognize me and everything would be quiet. I, however, did not promise him anything, but said that I would call him on the phone later.

At parting he told me:

- I want to see you often. Come and have tea with me. Just be ahead of time. – And unceremoniously patted me on the shoulder.

Our relationship, necessary for the implementation of my plan, grew stronger. But what effort it cost me! After every meeting with Rasputin, it seemed to me that I was covered in dirt. That evening I called him and flatly refused the gypsies, citing the tomorrow exam, for which I supposedly had to prepare. My studies actually took a lot of time, and my meetings with the “elder” had to be postponed.

Some time passed. I met young lady G.

- Aren’t you ashamed? - she said. – Grigory Efimovich is still waiting for us.

She asked me to go with her the next day to the “elder,” and I promised.

Arriving at Fontanka, we left the car at the corner of Gorokhovaya and walked to house No. 64, where Rasputin lived. Each of his guests did exactly this - as a precaution so as not to attract the attention of the police who were watching the house. Mll. G. reported that people from the “elder’s” guard were on duty on the main staircase, and we went up the side one. Rasputin himself revealed it to us.

- And here you are! - he told me. - And I was already angry with you. How many days have I been waiting for you?

He led us from the kitchen to the bedroom. It was small and simply furnished. In the corner along the wall stood a narrow bed covered with fox skin - a gift from Vyrubova. Next to the bed is a large painted wooden chest. In the corner opposite are icons and a lamp. On the walls are portraits of sovereigns and cheap engravings of biblical scenes. From the bedroom we went into the dining room, where tea was served.

A samovar was boiling on the table, there were pies, cookies, nuts and other delicacies in plates, jam and fruit in vases, and a basket of flowers in the middle.

There was oak furniture, chairs with high backs and a full-wall buffet with dishes. Poor painting and a bronze lamp with a shade above the table completed the decoration.

Everything breathed with philistinism and prosperity.

Rasputin sat us down for tea. At first the conversation didn't go well. The phone kept ringing and visitors appeared, to whom he went into the next room. Walking back and forth visibly angered him.

During one of his absences, a large basket of flowers was brought into the dining room. There was a note pinned to the bouquet.

- Grigory Yefimitch? - I asked Mlle G.

She nodded affirmatively.

Rasputin soon returned. He didn't even look at the flowers. He sat down next to me and poured himself some tea.

“Grigory Yefimitch,” I said, “they bring you flowers, like a prima donna.”

He laughed.

- These women are fools, they spoil me, fools. They send flowers every day. They know that I love you.

Then he turned to Mlle G.

- Go out for an hour. I need to talk to him.

G. obediently stood up and left.

As soon as we were alone, Rasputin moved forward and took my hand.

“What, dear,” he said, “are I doing well?” But come more often, it will be even better.

He looked into my eyes.

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t eat you,” he continued affectionately. - Once you get to know me, you will see for yourself what kind of person I am. I can do everything. Dad and Mom listen to me anyway. And you listen. This evening I’ll be with them and tell them that I gave you tea. They'll love it.

I, however, did not at all want the sovereigns to know about my meeting with Rasputin. I understood that the empress would tell everything to Vyrubova, and she would sense something was wrong. And she will be right. My hatred for the “old man” was known to her. I once admitted this to her myself.

“You know, Grigory Yefimitch,” I said, “it would be better if you didn’t tell them about me.” If my father and mother find out that I was with you, there will be a scandal.

Rasputin agreed with me and promised to remain silent. After which he started talking about politics and began to vilify the Duma.

“They don’t have to worry about washing my bones.” The Emperor is upset. Ying okay. Soon I will disperse them and send them to the front. They will know how to wag their tongues. They will already remember me.

- But, Grigory Yefimich, even if you could disperse the Duma, how will you actually disperse it?

- Very simple, my dear. When you become my friend and comrade, you will know everything. And now I’ll say one thing: the queen is a real empress. She has both intelligence and strength. And whatever you want will allow me. Well, he himself is like a little child. Is this the king? He should sit at home in a dressing gown and smell flowers, and not edit. Power is too much for him. But we, God willing, will help him.

I restrained my indignation and, as if nothing had happened, asked if he was so confident in his people.

- How do you know, Grigory Efimitch, what they need from you and what’s on their mind? What if they are up to no good?

Rasputin smiled indulgently.

– Do you want to teach God some sense? And it was not in vain that He sent me to the anointed one to help. I tell you: they can’t live without me. I'm just with them. They start to fight, so I hit the table with my fist and leave the yard. And they run after me to beg, they say, wait, Grigory Efimovich, they say, don’t go, stay, everything will be your way, just don’t leave us. But they love and respect me. Three days ago I talked to myself, asked to appoint someone, and I said, “later and later.” I threatened to leave. I’ll go, I say, to Siberia, and you go to hell. You are turning away from the Lord! Well, your son will die, and for that you will burn in fiery hell! This is the conversation I have with them. But I still have a lot to do. They have a lot of villains there, and everyone whispers to them that Grigory Efimovich is an unkind man who wants to destroy you... It’s all nonsense. And why should I destroy them? They are good people, they pray to God.

“But, Grigory Efimich,” I objected, “the sovereign’s trust is not everything.” You know what they say about you. And not only in Russia. Foreign newspapers don’t praise you either. I think if you really love sovereigns, then you will leave and go to Siberia. You never know. You have many enemies. Anything can happen.

- No, honey. You are saying this out of ignorance. God won't allow that. If He sent me to them, then so be it. As for our and theirs’ idle lies, don’t give a damn about anyone. They chop their own branches.

Rasputin jumped up and nervously walked around the room.

I watched him closely. His appearance became alarming and gloomy. Suddenly he turned around, came up to me and stared at me for a long time.

A chill went through my skin. Rasputin's gaze was of extraordinary power. Without taking his eyes off me, the “elder” lightly stroked my neck, smiled slyly and sweetly and ingratiatingly offered me a drink of wine. I agreed. He went out and returned with a bottle of Madeira, poured it for himself and me, and drank to my health.

- When will you come again? - he asked.

Then young lady G. came in and said that it was time to go to Tsarskoe.

- And I got sick! I completely forgot that the enti are waiting! Well, it doesn’t matter... It’s not the first time for them. Sometimes they call me on the phone, send for me, but I don’t go. And then I’ll fall out of the blue... Well, you’re welcome! They love you even more... Goodbye for now, dear,” he added.

Then he turned to Mlle G. and said, nodding at me:

- And he’s a smart guy, hey, he’s smart. If only they wouldn't confuse him. He will listen to me, okay. Really, girl? So talk some sense into him, let him know. Well, goodbye, honey. Come quickly.

He kissed me and left, and G. and I went down the back stairs again.

– Isn’t it true that Grigory Efimovich feels like home? - said G. - With him you forget worldly sorrows! He has the gift of bringing peace and tranquility into the soul!

I didn't argue. I noticed, however:

“It would be better for Grigory Yefimitch to leave St. Petersburg as soon as possible.”

- Why? – she asked.

- Because sooner or later he will be killed. I am absolutely sure of this and I advise you to try to properly explain to him what danger he is exposing himself to. He must leave.

- No, what are you talking about! - G. cried out in horror. – Nothing like that will happen! The Lord will not allow it! Finally, understand that he is our only support and consolation. If he disappears, everything will perish. The Empress correctly says that as long as he is here, she is calm for her son. And Grigory Yefimitch himself said: “If they kill me, the prince will die too.” There have already been attempts on his life more than once, but only God protects us from him. And now he himself has become more careful, and security is with him day and night. Nothing will happen to him.

We approached G.'s house.

- When will I see you? – asked my companion.

- Call me when you see him.

I wondered with concern what impression our conversation had made on Rasputin. Still, it seems that bloodshed cannot be avoided. The “old man” thinks that he is omnipotent and feels safe. Besides, there’s no point in tempting him with money. By all appearances, he is not a poor man. And if it is true that he, albeit unwittingly, works for Germany, it means that he receives much more than we can offer.

Classes in the page corps took up a lot of time. I returned late, but even then there was no time for rest. Thoughts about Rasputin haunted me. I thought about the degree of his guilt and mentally saw what a colossal conspiracy had been launched against Russia, and yet the “old man” was his soul. Did he know what he was doing? This question tormented me. For hours I recalled everything I knew about him, trying to explain the contradictions of his soul and find excuses for his vileness. And then his debauchery, shamelessness and, most importantly, lack of conscience towards the royal family stood before me.

But little by little, from all this jumble of facts and arguments, the image of Rasputin emerged, quite definite and simple.

A Siberian peasant, ignorant, unprincipled, cynical and greedy, who by chance found himself close to the powers that be. Unlimited influence on the imperial family, the adoration of female fans, constant orgies and dangerous idleness, to which he was not accustomed, destroyed the remnants of conscience in him.

But what kind of people used and led him so skillfully - unknown to him? For it is doubtful that Rasputin understood all this. And he hardly knew who his drivers were. Besides, he never remembered names. He called everyone as he liked. In one of our future conversations with him, hinting at some secret friends, he called them “green.” It seems that he did not even see them, but communicated with them through intermediaries.

– The Greens live in Sweden. Visit them and get to know them.

– So they exist in Russia too?

– No, in Russia they are “greenies”. They are friends both to the “greens” and to us. People are smart.

A few days later, when I was still thinking about Rasputin, Mlle G. reported by telephone that the “old man” was again calling me to the gypsies. Again, citing exams, I refused, but said that if Grigory Efimitch wanted to see each other, I would come to him for tea.

I came to Rasputin the next day. He was all kindness. I reminded him that he had promised to cure me.

“I’ll cure you,” he answered, “I’ll cure you in three days.” Let's drink some tea first, and then go to my office so that we won't be disturbed. I will pray to God and take the pain out of you. Just listen to me, honey, and everything will be fine.

We drank tea, and Rasputin took me for the first time to his study - a small room with canapés, leather armchairs and a large table littered with papers.

The “elder” laid me down on the sofa. Then, looking soulfully into my eyes, he began to move his hand over my chest, head, and neck. He knelt down, put his hands on my forehead and whispered a prayer. Our faces were so close that I only saw his eyes. He stayed like that for a while. Suddenly he jumped up and began making passes over me.

Rasputin's hypnotic power was enormous. I felt like an unknown force was penetrating me and spreading warmth throughout my body. At the same time, numbness set in. I'm numb. I wanted to speak, but my tongue did not obey. Slowly I sank into oblivion, as if I had drunk a sleeping potion. All I saw before me was Rasputin’s burning gaze. Two phosphorescent rays merged into a fiery spot, and the spot came closer and then moved away.

I lay there, unable to scream or move. Only the thought remained free, and I realized that I was gradually finding myself in the power of the hypnotist. And with an effort of will I tried to resist hypnosis. His strength, however, grew, as if surrounding me with a dense shell. The impression of an unequal struggle between two personalities. Still, I realized, he didn’t completely break me. However, I could not move until he himself ordered me to stand up.

Soon I began to distinguish his silhouette, face and eyes. The terrible fiery spot disappeared.

“That’s enough this time, my dear,” he said.

But, although he looked at me intently, by all appearances he did not see everything: he did not notice any resistance to himself. The “elder” smiled with satisfaction, confident that from now on I was in his power.

Suddenly he sharply pulled my hand. I got up and sat down. My head was spinning, my whole body felt weak. With great effort I stood up and took a few steps. The legs were alien and did not obey.

Rasputin watched my every move.

“The grace of the Lord is upon you,” he finally said. “You’ll see, you’ll feel better in no time.”

As he said goodbye, he made me promise to come to him soon. Since then I began to visit Rasputin constantly. The “treatment” continued, and the “old man’s” confidence in the patient grew.

“You, my dear, really are a smart guy,” he declared one day. – You understand everything perfectly. If you want, I will appoint you as minister.

His proposal bothered me. I knew that the “elder” could do anything, and I imagined how they would ridicule and slander me for such patronage. I answered him with a laugh:

“I’ll help you in any way I can, just don’t make me a minister.”

- Why are you laughing? Do you think it's not in my power? Everything is in my power. I turn what I want. I say, to be the minister.

He spoke with such confidence that I was seriously scared. And everyone will be surprised when the newspapers write about such an appointment.

“Please, Grigory Yefimitch, leave it alone.” Well, what kind of minister am I? And why? It's better for us to be secretly friends.

“Maybe you’re right,” he replied. - As you wish.

– You know, not everyone thinks like you. Others come and say: “Do this for me, arrange that for me.” Everyone needs something.

- Well, what about you?

“I’ll send them to the minister or another boss and give them a note with them.” Otherwise I’ll send them straight to Tsarskoe. This is how I distribute positions.

– And the ministers listen?

- Otherwise, no! - Rasputin shouted. - I installed them myself. Why don't they listen to them? They know what’s what... Everyone is afraid of me, every single one,” he said after a pause. “All I need to do is hit the table with my fist.” That’s the only way it should be with you, I know. You don't like my shoe covers! You are all proud, my dear, and your sins have gone away. If you want to please the Lord, humble your pride.

And Rasputin laughed. He got drunk and wanted to confess.

He told me how he humbled “our” pride.

“You see, dove,” he said, smiling strangely, “women are the first proud people.” This is where we need to start. Well, I’ll take all these ladies to the bathhouse. And I tell them: “Now take off your clothes and wash the man.” The one that starts to break down, I have a short conversation with her... And all my pride, my dear, will be taken away as if by hand.

I listened with horror to dirty confessions, the details of which I cannot even convey. He was silent and did not interrupt him. And he talked and drank.

- Why don’t you help yourself? Are you afraid of wine? There is no better drug. It cures everything, and there is no need to run to the pharmacy. The Lord Himself gave us drink to strengthen our souls and bodies. So I am gaining strength in it. By the way, have you heard about Badmaev? Those doctors are just doctors. He brews the medicine himself. And their Botkin and Derevenkov are stupid. Nature gave Badmaevsky herbs. They grow in forests, fields, and mountains. And the Lord raises them, and that is why the power of God is in them.

“Tell me, Grigory Efimitch,” I interjected carefully, “is it true that these herbs are used to feed the sovereign and heir?”

- We know the deal, they’ll drink. She keeps an eye on it herself. And Anyutka looks. They're just afraid that Botkin won't get wind of it. I tell them: if the doctor finds out, the patient will feel worse. So they keep vigil.

– What kind of herbs do you give to the sovereign and heir?

- All sorts, dear, all sorts. I give myself tea of ​​grace. He will calm his heart, and the king will immediately become kind and cheerful. And what kind of king is he? He is a child of God, not a king. Then you will see how we do everything. Grew, ours will take it.

- That is, what does it mean - yours will take it, Grigory Yefimych?

- Look, what a curious guy... Tell him everything... When the time comes, you’ll find out.

Never before had Rasputin spoken to me so openly. For everything that is on the sober mind, the drunk is on the tongue. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to learn about Rasputin’s machinations. I invited him to have another drink with me. We filled our glasses in silence. Rasputin poured it down his throat, and I took a sip. Having emptied a bottle of very strong Madeira, he walked on unsteady legs to the buffet and brought another bottle. I poured him a glass again, pretended to pour it for myself, and continued the questions.

“Do you remember, Grigory Yefimitch, you said just now that you wanted to take me on as your assistant?” I do with all my heart. Just explain your business first. Are you saying changes are coming again? And when? And what kind of changes are these?

Rasputin looked at me sharply, then closed his eyes, thought and said:

– Here’s what: enough war, enough blood, it’s time to stop the carnage. The Germans, I am tea, are also our brothers. What did the Lord say? The Lord said - love your enemy as if you were a brother... That is why the war must be ended. And he himself, they say, no, no. And not at all. Someone is clearly a bad adviser to them. What's the point? I’ll give you an order - they’ll have to listen... It’s still early, not everything is ready yet. Well, when we’re done, we’ll declare Lexandra regent for the young heir. We ourselves will be sent to rest in Livadia. He will be fine there. Tired, sick, let him rest. There on the flowers, and closer to God. You yourself have something to repent of. He will pray for a century, he will not pray for the war to the ent.

And the queen is smart, the second Katka. She already rules everything now. You'll see, the further you go with her, the better it will be. I will drive, he says, all the talkers out of the Duma. That's okay. Let them get the hell out. Otherwise they were planning to throw off God’s anointed one. And we will pick them ourselves! It's high time! And those who oppose me will not be happy either!

Rasputin became more and more animated. Drunk, he didn’t even think about hiding.

“I’m like a hunted animal,” he complained. - Lord nobles are looking for my death. I stood in their way. But the people respect that I teach sovereigns in boots and a caftan. This is the will of God. The Lord gave me strength. I read the secrets in the hearts of others. You, dear, smart, will help me. I'll teach you something... You'll make money from it. And you probably don’t need it. You will probably be richer than the king. Well, then you’ll give it to the poor. Everyone is happy with the profit.

Suddenly a sharp bell rang. Rasputin shuddered. Apparently, he was waiting for someone, but during the conversation he completely forgot about it. Having come to his senses, he seemed afraid that we would be caught together.

He quickly stood up and led me into his office, from which he immediately left. I heard him dragging himself into the hallway, on the way he bumped into a heavy object, dropped something, and swore: his legs couldn’t hold him up, but his tongue was sharp.

Then voices were heard in the dining room. I listened, but they spoke quietly, and I couldn’t understand the words. The dining room was separated from the office by a corridor. I opened the door slightly. There was a crack in the door to the dining room. I saw the “elder” sitting in the same place where he had sat with me minutes earlier. Now there were seven dubious-looking subjects with him. Four have distinctly Semitic faces. Three are blond and surprisingly similar to each other. Rasputin spoke with animation. The visitors wrote something down in little books, talked in low voices and chuckled from time to time. Exactly what conspirators.

Suddenly a hunch flashed through my mind. Aren't these the same Rasputin "greenies"? And the longer I looked, the more convinced I was that I was seeing real spies.

I walked away from the door in disgust. I wanted to get away from here, but there was no other door, I would have been noticed immediately.

What seemed like an eternity passed. Finally Rasputin returned.

He was cheerful and pleased with himself. Feeling unable to overcome my disgust for him, I hastily said goodbye and ran out.

Visiting Rasputin, each time I became more and more convinced that he was the cause of all the troubles of the fatherland and that if he disappeared, his witchcraft power over the royal family would disappear.

It seemed that fate itself had brought me to him to show me his destructive role. Why do I need more? To spare him is not to spare Russia. Is there at least one Russian who does not wish him to die in his soul?

Now the question is not whether to be or not to be, but who should carry out the sentence. We abandoned our initial intention to kill him at his home. The height of the war, preparations for an offensive are underway, the state of mind is heated to the limit. The open murder of Rasputin can be interpreted as an attack against the imperial family. It should be removed so that neither the names nor the circumstances of the case come out.

I hoped that deputies Purishkevich and Maklakov, who cursed the “old man” from the Duma rostrum, would help me with advice, or even deeds. I decided to see them. I thought it was important to attract different elements of society. Dmitry is from the royal family, I am a representative of the nobility, Sukhotin is an officer. I would like to get a Duma member as well.

First of all, I went to Maklakov. The conversation was brief. In a few words I recounted our plans and asked his opinion. Maklakov avoided a direct answer. Distrust and indecision were heard in the question that he asked instead of answering:

– Why did you turn to me?

– Because I went to the Duma and heard your speech.

I was sure that in his heart he approved of me. The command, however, disappointed me. Did you doubt me? Were you afraid of the danger of the matter? Be that as it may, I soon realized that I couldn’t count on him.

Not so with Purishkevich. Before I had time to tell him the essence of the matter, he, with his characteristic ardor and liveliness, promised to help. True, he warned that Rasputin was guarded day and night and it was not easy to get to him.

“They’ve already entered,” I said.

And he described to him his tea parties and conversations with the “elder.” In the end he mentioned Dmitry, Sukhotin and the explanation with Maklakov. Maklakov’s reaction did not surprise him. But he promised to talk to him again and try to involve him in the case.

Purishkevich agreed that Rasputin should be removed without leaving any traces. Dmitry and Sukhotin and I discussed and decided that poison is the surest way to hide the fact of murder.

My house on the Moika River was chosen as the place where the plan was to be executed.

The room I arranged in the basement was best suited.

At first everything in me rebelled: it was unbearable to think that my house would become a trap. No matter who he was, I could not decide to kill the guest.

Friends understood me. After much debate, however, they decided not to change anything. It was necessary to save the homeland at any cost, even at the cost of violence against one’s own conscience.

The fifth person to join the business, on the advice of Purishkevich, was Doctor Lazovert. The plan was this: Rasputin receives potassium cyanide; the dose is sufficient to cause death instantly; I sit with him as with a guest, face to face; the rest are nearby, ready if help is needed.

No matter how things turn out, we promised to remain silent about the participants.

A few days later, Dmitry and Purishkevich left for the front.

While waiting for their return, on the advice of Purishkevich, I again went to Maklakov. A pleasant surprise awaited me: Maklakov sang another song and warmly approved of everything. True, when I invited him to participate personally, he replied that he could not, since in mid-December he would have to leave for Moscow on an extremely important matter. Still, I filled him in on the details of the plan. He listened very carefully... but that’s all.

As I was leaving, he wished me good luck and gave me a rubber weight.

“Take it just in case,” he said, smiling.

Every time I came to Rasputin, I was disgusted with myself. I walked as if I was going to execution, so I began to walk less often.

Shortly before the return of Purishkevich and Dmitry, I nevertheless went to see him again.

He was in excellent spirits.

- Why are you so cheerful? – I asked.

- Yes, I screwed up the business. Now it won't be long to wait. Every dog ​​has his day.

– What are we talking about? – I asked.

“What are we talking about, what are we talking about...” he mimicked. “You were afraid of me and stopped coming to see me.” And I, my dear, know a lot of anti-resistance things. So I won’t tell you if you’re afraid. Everything you are afraid of. If you were braver, I would open everything for you!

I answered that I studied a lot in the page corps and that was the only reason why I began to visit him less often. But it was impossible to fool him on the chaff.

- We know, we know... You’re afraid, and your dad and mom won’t let you in. And your mother and Lizaveta are friends, so what? They have one thing on their mind: to drive me away. But no, you’re being naughty: they won’t listen to them at Tsarskoye. In Tsarskoe they listen to me.

- In Tsarskoye, Grigory Yefimitch, you are completely different. There you only talk about God, that’s why they listen to you there.

- Why, my dear, should I not talk about the Lord? They are pious people, they love the divine... They understand everyone, they forgive everyone and they value me. And there is no point in slandering me. Slander is not slander; they won’t believe it all. That's what I told them. I say they will vilify me. Well then. Christ was also dishonored. He also suffered for the truth... Listen, they listen to everyone, but act according to the dictates of their hearts.

As for himself,” Rasputin continued to pour out, “as soon as he leaves Tsarskoe, he immediately believes all the scoundrels. And now he turns his nose up at me. I came to him: they say, we need to end the massacre, all people are brothers, I say. Either a Frenchman or a German, all the same... But he resisted. The know keeps repeating - “it’s a shame,” he says, to sign peace. Where is the shame when we are talking about saving one’s neighbor? And again, thousands of people will be driven to certain death. Isn't this embarrassing? The empress herself is kind and wise. And what about yourself? There is nothing in it from the autocrat. A blessed child, and that’s all. What am I afraid of? I’m afraid that Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaich will sense something and begin to put a spoke in our wheels. But he, praise the Lord, is far away, and until now his hands are too short to find a hotel. She herself understood the danger and sent him away so as not to interfere.

“And, in my opinion,” I said, “it was a big mistake to remove the Grand Duke from the post of commander in chief.” Russia idolizes him. In difficult times, one cannot deprive the army of a beloved military leader.

- Don't be afraid, darling. If they removed it, it must be so. So it must be, then.

Rasputin stood up and walked up and down the room, muttering something. Suddenly he stopped, jumped up to me and grabbed my hand. His eyes sparkled strangely.

“Come with me to the gypsies,” he asked. “If you go, I’ll tell you everything, everything is in good spirit.”

I agreed, but then the phone rang. Rasputin was summoned to Tsarskoe Selo. The trip to the gypsies was cancelled. Rasputin looked disappointed. I took advantage of the moment and invited him to join us at the Moika the following evening.

The “old man” had long wanted to meet my wife. Thinking that she was in St. Petersburg, and my parents were in Crimea, he accepted the invitation. In fact, Irina was also in Crimea. I, however, hoped that he would agree more readily if he hoped to see her.

A few days later, Dmitry and Purishkevich finally returned from their positions, and it was decided that I would invite Rasputin to come to the Moika on the evening of December 29.

The “elder” agreed on the condition that I would pick him up and then take him back home. He told me to go up the back stairs. He said he would warn the gatekeeper that he would be leaving for a friend’s place at midnight.

With amazement and horror I saw how he himself made the whole matter easier and simpler for us.

Felix Yusupov

I was then alone in St. Petersburg and lived with my brothers-in-law in the palace of Grand Duke Alexander. For almost the entire day of December 29, I was preparing for the exams scheduled for the next day. During the break I went to the Moika to make the necessary orders.

I was going to receive Rasputin in the semi-basement apartment, which I was decorating for that purpose. Arcades divided the basement hall into two parts. The larger one housed a dining room. In the smaller one, the spiral staircase, which I already wrote about, led to my apartment on the mezzanine. Halfway there was an exit to the courtyard. The dining room, with its low vaulted ceiling, received light from two small sidewalk-level windows overlooking the embankment. The walls and floor of the room were made of gray stone. In order not to arouse suspicion in Rasputin by the appearance of a bare cellar, it was necessary to decorate the room and give it a residential appearance.

When I arrived, the craftsmen were laying carpets and hanging curtains. Chinese red porcelain vases have already been placed in the niches in the wall. From the storeroom they brought the furniture I had chosen: carved wooden chairs covered with old leather, massive oak armchairs with high backs, tables covered with antique cloth, bone goblets and many beautiful trinkets. To this day I remember in detail the furnishings of the dining room. The supply cabinet, for example, was ebony with inlay and many mirrors, bronze columns, and secret drawers inside. On the cabinet stood a rock crystal crucifix in silver filigree by a remarkable Italian master of the 16th century. The red granite fireplace was topped with gilded bowls, Renaissance majolica plates and ivory figurines. There was a Persian carpet on the floor, and in the corner near the cabinet with mirrors and drawers was a polar bear skin.

Our butler, Grigory Buzhinsky, and my valet Ivan helped arrange the furniture. I told them to prepare tea for six people, buy cakes and cookies and bring wine from the cellar. I said that I expected guests at eleven, and let them sit in their rooms until I called them.

Everything was OK. I went up to my room, where Colonel Vogel was waiting for me for the last check for tomorrow's exams. We were done by six o'clock in the evening. I went to the palace to Grand Duke Alexander to have dinner with the Shuryas. On the way I went to the Kazan Cathedral. I began to pray and forgot about time. Leaving the cathedral, as it seemed to me, very soon, I was surprised to discover that I had been praying for about two hours. A strange feeling of lightness, almost happiness, appeared. I hurried to the palace to my father-in-law. I had a thorough dinner before returning to the Moika.

By eleven, everything was ready in the basement on the Moika. The basement, comfortably furnished and illuminated, no longer seemed like a crypt. A samovar was boiling on the table and there were plates with Rasputin’s favorite delicacies. On the sideboard there is a tray with bottles and glasses. The room is lit by antique lamps with colored glass. The heavy red satin curtains are drawn down. Logs crackle in the fireplace, reflecting flashes on the granite mantel. It seems that you are cut off from the whole world here, and no matter what happens, the thick walls will hide the secret forever.

The call announced the arrival of Dmitry and the others. I led everyone to the dining room. They were silent for some time, examining the place where Rasputin was scheduled to die.

I took out a box of potassium cyanide from the supply and placed it on the table next to the cakes. Doctor Lazovert put on rubber gloves, took several crystals of poison from it, and ground it into powder. Then he removed the tops of the cakes and sprinkled the filling with enough powder, he said, to kill an elephant. There was silence in the room. We watched his actions excitedly. All that remains is to put the poison in the glasses. We decided to put it in at the last moment so that the poison would not evaporate. And also to give everything the appearance of a finished dinner, for I told Rasputin that I usually feast with guests in the basement, and sometimes I study or read alone while my friends go upstairs to smoke in my office. We mixed everything together on the table, pushed the chairs away, and poured tea into the cups. It was agreed that when I went to pick up the “old man,” Dmitry, Sukhotin and Purishkevich would go up to the mezzanine and start the gramophone, choosing more cheerful music. I wanted to keep Rasputin in a pleasant mood and not let him suspect anything.

The preparations are over. I put on my fur coat and pulled a fur hat over my eyes, completely covering my face. The car was waiting in the yard by the porch. The lazovert, disguised as a driver, started the engine. When we arrived at Rasputin’s, I had to argue with the gatekeeper, who did not immediately let me in. As agreed, I walked up the back stairs. There was no light, I walked by touch. I barely found the door to the apartment.

I called.

- Who's there? – the “elder” shouted outside the door. My heart began to beat.

- Grigory Efimitch, it’s me, I’ve come for you.

There was movement behind the door. The chain clinked. The bolt creaked. I felt terrible.

He opened it and I entered.

Pitch darkness. It seemed that someone was watching intently from the next room. I involuntarily raised my collar and pulled my hat even lower over my eyes.

– Why are you hiding? – asked Rasputin.

- Well, there was an agreement that no one should find out.

- And that’s true. So I didn’t say a word to anyone. He even released the secret ones. Well, okay, I'll get dressed right away.

I followed him into the bedroom, lit by one lamp near the icons. Rasputin lit a candle. The bed, as I noticed, was spread out.

That's right, he lay down waiting for me. A fur coat and a beaver hat lay on a chest by the bed. Next to them are felt boots and galoshes.

Rasputin put on a silk shirt embroidered with cornflowers. He girded himself with a crimson cord. The black velvet trousers and boots were brand new. The hair is slicked, the beard is combed with extraordinary care. As he approached, he smelled of cheap soap. It was obvious that by our evening he was trying, preening himself.

- Well, Grigory Efimitch, it’s time for us to go. It's already past midnight.

- And the gypsies? Shall we go to the gypsies?

“I don’t know, maybe,” I answered.

- Do you have anyone today? – he asked with some concern.

I reassured him, promising that he wouldn’t see any unpleasant people, but his mother was in Crimea.

- I don’t love your mother. I know she can't stand me.

Well, it’s clear, Lizaveta’s friend. Both are slandering me and plotting intrigues. The queen herself told me that they are my sworn enemies. Listen, Protopopov was with me this evening, he says, don’t go anywhere. They'll fucking kill you. Grit, the enemies are up to something bad... Pipes! My murderers have not yet been born... Okay, enough babbling... Let's go, shall we...

I took a fur coat from the chest and helped him put it on.

Inexpressible pity for this man suddenly overwhelmed me. The end did not justify such base means. I felt contempt for myself. How could I commit such vileness? How did you decide?

I looked at the victim in horror. The “elder” was trusting and calm. Where is his vaunted clairvoyance? And what’s the point of prophesying and reading in other people’s thoughts if you can’t see the traps for yourself? As if fate itself had blinded him... so that justice could be done...

And suddenly Rasputin’s life appeared before me in all its abomination. And my doubts and remorse were gone. The firm determination to finish what I started returned.

We went out onto a dark staircase. Rasputin closed the door.

The creak of the bolt was heard again. We found ourselves in pitch darkness.

His fingers convulsively grabbed my hand.

“It’s safer to go this way,” whispered the “old man,” dragging me down the steps.

His fingers squeezed my hand painfully. I wanted to scream and break out. My head went blank. I don't remember what he said, what I answered. I wanted only one thing at that moment: to go free as soon as possible, to see the light, to no longer feel this terrible hand in my own.

On the street my panic passed. I regained my composure.

We got into the car and drove off.

I looked around to see if there were any agents. No one. Everywhere is empty.

We took a roundabout route to Moika and drove into the courtyard, driving up to the same porch.

- What is this? - he asked. - What kind of holiday are you having?

- No, my wife has guests, they will leave soon. Let's go to the dining room and have some tea.

We went down. Before he could enter, Rasputin took off his fur coat and began to look around with curiosity. The one with the boxes was especially attractive to him. The “old man” amused himself like a child, opened and closed the doors, looked at the inside and outside.

And for the last time I tried to persuade him to leave St. Petersburg. His refusal sealed his fate. I offered him mine and tea. Alas, he wanted neither one nor the other. “Did you smell anything?” – I thought. Whatever it is, he won't get out of here alive.

We sat down at the table and started talking.

We discussed mutual acquaintances and did not forget Vyrubova. They remembered, of course, Tsarskoye Selo.

“Why, Grigory Efimych,” he asked and, “did Protopopov come to you?” Do you suspect a conspiracy?

- Oh, yes, my dear. He says that my simple speech does not give many people peace. It is not to the taste of the nobles that the cloth snout climbs into the Kalash line. The envious people take them, so they get angry and scare me... But let them scare them, I’m not scared. They can't do anything for me. I'm charmed. They tried to kill me so many times, but the Lord didn’t let me. Whoever raises his hand against me will not be happy with himself.

The words of the “elder” sounded echoingly and terribly where he was about to die. But I was already calm. He spoke, and I thought one thing: make him drink wine and eat cakes.

Finally, having talked through his favorite conversations, Rasputin asked for tea. I quickly poured him a cup and pushed the cookies towards him. Why cookies, not poisoned?..

Only after that did I offer him eclairs with potassium cyanide. He refused at first.

“I don’t want it,” he said, “they’re too sweet.”

However, I took one, then another... I looked in horror. The poison should have taken effect immediately, but, to my amazement, Rasputin continued to talk as if nothing had happened.

Then I offered him our homemade Crimean wines. And again Rasputin refused. As time went. I started to get nervous. Despite the refusal, I poured us some wine. But just as I had just done with the cookies, I also unconsciously took the unpoisoned glasses. Rasputin changed his mind and accepted the glass. He drank with pleasure, licked his lips and asked how much of this wine we had. I was very surprised to learn that the cellars were full of bottles.

“Let’s pour some Madeira,” he said. I wanted to give him another glass, with poison, but he stopped:

- Yes, the same lei.

“That’s impossible, Grigory Yefimitch,” I objected. - Wines are not supposed to be mixed.

- There are few things that are not allowed. Lei, I say...

I had to give in.

Still, as if by accident, I dropped the glass and poured him a poisoned glass of Madeira. Rasputin did not argue anymore.

I stood next to him and watched his every move, expecting that he was about to collapse...

But he drank, smacked, savored the wine like real experts. Nothing changed in his face. At times he raised his hand to his throat, as if he had a spasm in his throat. Suddenly he stood up and took a few steps. When I asked what was wrong with him, he replied:

- Nothing. Tickling in the throat.

I was silent, neither alive nor dead.

“It’s a good Madeira, pour me some more,” he said.

The poison, however, had no effect. The “old man” calmly walked around the room.

I took another glass of poison, poured it and gave it to him.

He drank it. No impression.

The last, third glass remained on the tray.

In desperation, I poured a glass for myself, so as not to let Rasputin go away from the wine.

We sat opposite each other, were silent and drank.

He looked at me. His eyes narrowed slyly. They seemed to say: “You see, your efforts are in vain, you can’t do anything for me.”

Suddenly rage appeared on his face.

I had never seen the “old man” like this before.

He stared at me with a satanic gaze. At that moment I felt such hatred for him that I was ready to rush to strangle him.

We remained silent as before. The silence became ominous. It seemed that the “old man” understood why I brought him here and what I wanted to do with him. It was as if there was a struggle going on between us, silent but terrible. Another moment and I would have given up. Under his heavy gaze, I began to lose my cool. A strange numbness came... My head began to spin...

When I woke up, he was still sitting opposite me, covering his face with his hands. I didn't see his eyes.

I calmed down and offered him some tea.

“Lei,” he said dully. - I’m thirsty.

He raised his head. His eyes were dull. He seemed to avoid looking at me.

While I was pouring tea, he stood up and began pacing back and forth again. Noticing a guitar on a chair, he said:

- Play something funny. I love the way you sing.

At that moment I had no time for singing, much less joyful singing.

“The soul doesn’t lie,” I said.

However, he took the guitar and started playing something lyrical.

He sat down and began to listen. At first he looked carefully, then he lowered his head and closed his eyelids. He seemed to have dozed off.

When I finished my romance, he opened his eyes and looked at me with sadness.

- Sing some more. I like this. Eat with feeling.

As time went. The clock says half past three in the morning... This nightmare has already lasted for two hours. “What will happen,” I thought, “if my nerves give in?”

Those upstairs seemed to be starting to lose patience. The noise overhead intensified. It’s not even an hour, my comrades, they won’t be able to stand it, they’ll come running.

-What else is there? – Rasputin asked, raising his head.

“The guests must be leaving,” I answered. - I'll go see what's the matter.

Upstairs in my office, Dmitry, Sukhotin and Purishkevich, as soon as I entered, rushed towards me with questions.

- Well? Ready? Is it over?

“The poison didn’t work,” I said. All shock was silenced.

- Can't be! – Dmitry cried.

- Elephant dose! Did he swallow everything? – asked the others.

“That’s it,” I said.

We had a quick consultation and decided that we would go into the basement together, rush at Rasputin and strangle him. We began to descend, but then I thought that the idea was unsuccessful. Strangers will come in, Rasputin will be scared, and God knows what this devil is capable of...

It was with difficulty that I convinced my friends to let me act alone.

I took the revolver from Dmitry and went into the basement.

Rasputin was still sitting in the same position. He hung his head and breathed raggedly. I quietly walked up to him and sat down next to him. He didn't react. A few minutes of silence. He raised his head with difficulty and looked at me with an empty gaze.

-Are you feeling unwell? – I asked.

- Yes, my head is heavy and my stomach burns. Come on, pour a little. Maybe it will feel better.

I poured him some Madeira and he drank it in one gulp. And he immediately came to life and became cheerful. He was clearly fully conscious and in good memory. Suddenly he suggested going to the gypsies. I refused, saying it was too late.

“It’s not too late,” he objected. - They are familiar. Sometimes they wait for me until the morning. One day in Tsarskoe I was busy with business... or something, talking about God... Well, I waved to them in a car. The sinful flesh also needs rest... No, you say? The soul is God's, and the flesh is human. That's it! – Rasputin added with a mischievous wink.

And this is said to me by the one to whom I fed a huge dose of the strongest poison! But what especially shocked me was Rasputin’s trust. With all his instincts, he could not smell that he was about to die!

He, a clairvoyant, doesn’t see that I have a revolver behind my back, that I’m about to point it at him!

I automatically turned my head and looked at the crystal crucifix on the stand, then stood up and came closer.

-What are you looking for? – asked Rasputin.

“I like the crucifix,” I answered. - Great job.

“Indeed,” he agreed, “it’s a good thing.” The tea was expensive, it was worth it. How much did you give for it?

- And for me, the cupboard is more beautiful. “He came up, opened the doors and began to look.

“You, Grigory Efimich,” I said, “better look at the crucifix and pray to God.”

Rasputin looked at me in surprise, almost fear. In his eyes I saw a new, unfamiliar expression. There was humility and meekness in them. He came close to me and looked into my face. And it was as if he saw something in him that he himself did not expect. I realized that the decisive moment had come. "God help me!" – I said mentally.

Rasputin still stood in front of me, motionless, hunched over, his eyes fixed on the crucifix. I slowly raised the revolver.

“Where should I aim,” I thought, “at the temple or at the heart?”

A trembling shook me all over. The hand tensed. I aimed for the heart and pulled the trigger. Rasputin screamed and collapsed onto the bearskin.

For a moment I was horrified at how easy it is to kill a person. One of your movements - and what was just living and breathing lies on the floor like a rag doll.

Hearing the shot, friends came running. As they ran, they touched an electrical wire and the light went out. In the darkness, someone ran into me and screamed. I didn’t move from my spot, afraid of stepping on a corpse. The light has finally been restored.

Rasputin was lying on his back. At times his face twitched. His hands cramped. The eyes were closed. There is a red stain on the silk shirt. We bent over the body, examining it.

Several minutes passed, and the “old man” stopped twitching. The eyes did not open. The lazovert stated that the bullet passed through the heart area. There was no doubt: Rasputin was dead. Dmitry and Purishkevich dragged him from the skin to the bare stone floor. We turned off the light and, having locked the basement door, went up to me.

Our hearts were full of hope. We knew for sure: what happened now would save Russia and the dynasty from death and dishonor.

According to the plan, Dmitry, Sukhotin and Lazovert were supposed to pretend that they were taking Rasputin back to his home, in case we were still being followed. Sukhotin will become an “old man”, wearing his fur coat and hat. With two guides, the “elder” Sukhotin will leave in Purishkevich’s open car. They will return to the Moika in Dmitry’s closed motor, pick up the corpse and take it to the Petrovsky Bridge.

Purishkevich and I stayed at the Moika. While they were waiting for their own people, they talked about the future of Russia, forever freed from its evil genius. Could we have foreseen that those whose hands we had untied would, at this exceptionally favorable moment, not want or be able to lift a finger!

During the conversation, a vague uneasiness suddenly appeared in me. An irresistible force led me to the basement of the dead man.

Rasputin lay in the same place where we laid him. I felt my pulse. There is nothing. Dead, deader than ever.

I don’t know why I suddenly grabbed the corpse by the hands and pulled it towards me. He fell on his side and collapsed again.

I stood there for a few more moments and was just about to leave when I noticed that his left eyelid was trembling slightly. I leaned over and took a closer look. Weak convulsions passed through the dead face.

Suddenly his left eye opened... A moment - and it trembled, then his right eyelid lifted. And now both of Rasputin’s green viper eyes stared at me with inexpressible hatred. The blood froze in my veins. My muscles turned to stone. I want to run, call for help - my legs give way, I have a spasm in my throat.

So I froze in tetanus on the granite floor.

And something terrible happened. With a sharp movement, Rasputin jumped to his feet. He looked creepy. His mouth was foaming. He screamed in a bad voice, waved his arms and rushed at me. His fingers dug into my shoulders, trying to reach my throat. The eyes bulged out of their sockets, blood flowed from the mouth.

Rasputin repeated my name quietly and hoarsely.

I cannot describe the horror that gripped me! I tried to free myself from his embrace, but it was like I was in a vice. A fierce struggle ensued between us.

After all, he had already died from poison and a bullet in the heart, but it seemed that satanic forces had revived him in revenge, and something so monstrous and hellish appeared in him that I still can’t remember it without trembling.

At that moment I seemed to understand the essence of Rasputin even better. Satan himself, in the form of a man, had a death grip on me.

With superhuman effort I broke free.

He fell on his face, wheezing. My shoulder strap, torn off during the struggle, remained in his hand. The “elder” froze on the floor. A few moments - and he twitched again. I rushed upstairs to call Purishkevich, who was sitting in my office.

- Let's run! Hurry! Down! – I shouted. - He's still alive!

There was a noise in the basement. I grabbed the rubber weight that Maklakov gave me “just in case,” Purishkevich grabbed the revolver, and we jumped out onto the stairs.

Grunting and growling like a wounded animal, Rasputin quickly crawled up the steps. At the secret exit to the courtyard, he crept up and leaned on the door. I knew it was locked and stood on the top step, holding the weight in my hand.

To my amazement, the door opened and Rasputin disappeared into the darkness! Purishkevich rushed after him. Two shots were heard in the yard. Just don't miss it! I flew down the main staircase like a whirlwind and rushed along the embankment to intercept Rasputin at the gate if Purishkevich missed. There were three exits from the yard. The middle gate is not locked. Through the fence I saw that Rasputin was running towards them.

A third shot rang out, a fourth... Rasputin swayed and fell into the snow.

Purishkevich ran up, stood by the body for a few moments, was convinced that this time it was all over, and quickly went to the house.

I called out to him, but he didn’t hear.

There was not a soul on the embankment or nearby streets. Probably no one heard the shots. Having calmed down on this score, I entered the yard and approached the snowdrift, behind which Rasputin lay. The “old man” no longer showed signs of life.

Then two of my servants jumped out of the house, and a policeman appeared from the embankment. All three ran towards the shots.

I hurried to meet the policeman and called him, turning so that his back was to the snowdrift.

“Ah, your Excellency,” he said, recognizing me, “I heard shots.” What happened?

“No, no, nothing happened,” I assured. - Empty pampering. I had a party this evening. One got drunk and started shooting from a revolver. He woke people up. If someone asks, say that it’s nothing, that everything is okay.

As I spoke, I led him to the gate. Then he returned to the corpse, where both footmen stood. Rasputin lay still there, curled up, however, somehow differently.

“God,” I thought, “is he really still alive?”

It was terrible to imagine that he would get back to his feet. I ran to the house and called Purishkevich. But he disappeared. I felt bad, my legs didn’t obey me, Rasputin’s hoarse voice sounded in my ears, repeating my name. I staggered to the washroom and drank a glass of water. Then Purishkevich entered.

- Oh, there you are! And I'm running, looking for you! - he exclaimed.

I saw double. I swayed. Purishkevich supported me and took me to the office. As soon as we entered, the valet came to say that the policeman who had appeared minutes earlier had appeared again. The local police station heard the shots and sent him to find out what was going on. The police bailiff was not satisfied with the explanation. He demanded to know the details.

Seeing the policeman, Purishkevich said to him, minting the words:

– Have you heard about Rasputin? About the one who decided to destroy the tsar, and the fatherland, and your brothers soldiers, who sold us to Germany? Did you hear me ask?

The quarterly, not understanding what they wanted from him, was silent and blinked his eyes.

- Do you know who I am? – Purishkevich continued. – I am Vladimir Mitrofanovich Purishkevich, deputy of the State Duma. Yes, they shot and killed Rasputin. And you, if you love the Tsar and the Fatherland, will remain silent.

His words stunned me. He said them so quickly that I didn’t have time to stop him. In a state of extreme excitement, he himself did not remember what he said.

“You did the right thing,” the policeman finally said. “I will remain silent, but if they demand an oath, I will speak.” Lying is a sin.

With these words, shocked, he left.

Purishkevich ran after him.

At that moment the valet came to say that Rasputin’s body had been carried to the stairs. I still felt bad. My head was spinning, my legs were shaking. I stood up with difficulty, mechanically took the rubber weight and left the office.

Coming down the stairs, I saw Rasputin’s body at the bottom step. It looked like a bloody mess. A lamp shone from above, and the disfigured face was clearly visible. The sight is disgusting.

I wanted to close my eyes, run away, forget the nightmare, even for a moment. However, I was drawn to the dead man like a magnet. Everything was confused in my head. I suddenly went completely crazy. He ran up and began to frantically hit him with the weight. At that moment I did not remember either God's law or man's.

Purishkevich later said that he had never seen a more terrible scene in his life. When, with the help of Ivan, he pulled me away from the corpse, I lost consciousness.

Meanwhile, Dmitry, Sukhotin and Lazovert went to pick up the corpse in a closed car.

When Purishkevich told them what happened, they decided to leave me alone and go without me. They wrapped the corpse in canvas, loaded it into a car and drove off to Petrovsky Bridge. They threw the body from the bridge into the river.

When I woke up, it seemed that I either got up after an illness, or after a thunderstorm, I was breathing fresh air and could not get enough. It's like I'm resurrected.

The valet Ivan and I removed all evidence and traces of blood.

Having put the apartment in order, I went out into the yard. I had to think about something else: come up with an explanation for the shots. I decided to say that the tipsy guest killed the guard dog on a whim.

I called two footmen who were running out to hear the shots, and told them everything as it was. They listened and promised to remain silent.

At five in the morning I left the Moika for the palace of Grand Duke Alexander.

The thought that the first step towards saving the fatherland had been taken filled me with courage and hope.

Entering my room, I saw my brother-in-law Fyodor, who had not slept at night and was anxiously awaiting my return.

“Finally, glory to You, Lord,” he said. - Well?

“Rasputin was killed,” I answered, “but I can’t tell you now, I’m falling off my feet from fatigue.”

Anticipating that interrogations and searches would begin tomorrow, or worse, and that I would need strength, I lay down and fell asleep.”

And then there really were interrogations, searches, accusations and reproaches. Throughout St. Petersburg, the news of the murder of the hated old man spread at the speed of light. The Empress was beside herself with grief and anger. She insisted that the conspirators be shot immediately, but since Grand Duke Dmitry Romanov was among them, the punishment was limited to exile.

Society rejoiced in every possible way over the death of the evil genius of the dynasty. After the investigation, Felix Yusupov was sent into exile to the Rakitnoye estate.

However, the events of the new year, 1917, developed at incredible speed. In February there was a revolution, then the monarchy fell. The country plunged deeper and deeper into darkness.

Very soon Emperor Nicholas will abdicate, the Bolsheviks will come to power, and Prince Yusupov, who miraculously survived, will leave Russia forever. He will live his whole life in Paris on Rue Pierre Guerin, write two books, and win a lawsuit against the Hollywood studio MGM. In 1932, the film “Rasputin and the Empress” was released, where it was alleged that Prince Yusupov’s wife was Rasputin’s mistress. Yusupov managed to prove in court that such insinuations were slander. It was after this incident that it became common in Hollywood to print a notice at the beginning of films stating that all events shown on screen are fiction and any resemblance to real persons is not intentional.

In one of the last and probably only interviews with Felix Yusupov, the prince admits that he never regretted his action. Whether he was a patriot of Russia or a bloodthirsty killer of the “elder of the people”, about whom many films and programs are still being made, is up to each of you to decide...

In 1967, at the age of eighty, the last of the Yusupov family died in Paris. He was buried in the Russian cemetery in Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois.

His wife Irina Yusupova died in 1970 and was buried next to him.

Today, the direct descendants of the Yusupov family are Yusupov’s granddaughter, Ksenia Sfiri (nee Sheremeteva) and her daughter Tatyana Sfiri.

The article was prepared on the basis of the personal memoirs of Prince Yusupov.

We're talking about again staples and again about the fact that Crimea for the Russian Empire was not an ordinary province, but still a huge “dacha”, where residents of both Russian capitals discovered completely unexpected character traits in themselves and performed amazing deeds.
Prince Felix Yusupov Jr. (1887 — 1967 ) the most striking and scandalous figure of the early 20th century, in his wealth and aristocratic position he had almost no equal in the world. But Crimean life left its mark on him too: here he had two very big and very different loves - one with a prince who was ready to abdicate the throne of the King of Portugal for his sake, the other with a princess, the niece of the emperor.

Hunting castle of the Yusupov princes in Sokolin (Kok-koz - Blue Eye), Bakhchisaray district. In Soviet and post-Soviet times, a boarding school for juvenile delinquents

In Crimea, the Yusupovs left a luxurious palace in Koreiz, romantic hunting castle in, where thousands of recidivist thieves were raised in Soviet times (with budget money!). Yusupovsky Pond at the Silver Strings waterfall, Tea house on Ai-Petri, Yusupov Mosque in Sokolin. A significant part of the current Crimean Nature Reserve is the hunting grounds of the Yusupovs. Well, of the publicly available beauties - Arza fountain and Mermaid sculpture on Miskhor beach. In general, there is room to talk about Prince Felix and the other Yusupovs!

Felix Yusupov: Prince Youssoupoff

The heir to a huge fortune, related to the Romanovs, the “golden boy”, an esthete and a dandy, an Oxford student, the creator of the Russian fashion house “Irfe”, a benefactor of Russian emigrants in Paris and the killer of Rasputin, Felix Yusupov combined the incongruous... He was a good angel and a vicious cherub. How did all this coexist in one person?
People are always interested in those who have lost too much: language, homeland, the opportunity to live a normal life. Felix Yusupov and his wife Irina, having fled into exile, left in Russia estates in Koreiz and Arkhangelsk, palaces in St. Petersburg and Moscow, art collections that today fill the Hermitage, sugar, meat and brick factories, and anthracite mines. Only the interest on Yusupov’s capital amounted to 10 million rubles a year. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Yusupov princes were the richest people in Russia, much richer than the Romanovs.

They owe much of their wealth to the famous great-great-grandfather Nikolay Borisovich Yusupov - the classic Catherine nobleman, collector, polyglot, a man with wild quirks and great merits. Nikolai Borisovich supervised the coronation of three Russian emperors - Paul I, Alexander I, Nicholas I, who then came to visit him at the Arkhangelskoye estate. Catherine II crowned the prince - rumored to be her lover - with all conceivable and inconceivable awards, and when their list ended, Nikolai Borisovich received a pearl epaulette invented especially for him, which he proudly wore on his right shoulder. He corresponded with Diderot and Beaumarchais, visited Voltaire and spent time with him not only at scientific vigils - he also adopted the science of getting rich. The more funds the prince had, the less desire he had to spend them in an ordinary way. No worse than any antique bloodhound, he scoured Europe, buying sculptures, paintings, books at auctions, acquired two Rembrandts, a Bible from 1462 - almost the same age as printing. Grandfather had a special love for mechanical dolls. Sitting at a table in Arkhangelskoe near Moscow was the lively Jean-Jacques Rousseau - this is how the illustrious prince sneered at the French enlighteners. Because of this mannequin, his great-great-grandson Felix was afraid to look into the library - such was the horror of the figure with a large silver key sticking out of his spine. Another clockwork toy of the nobleman is familiar to all Russian children. The Pushkins lived in a wing of the Yusupov family palace on Kharitonyevsky Lane, and the hulking two-year-old fat boy Sasha froze in the Yusupov garden in front of an oak tree with a gilded chain. A huge man walked along the chain and spoke Dutch mechanical cat. Yes, yes, the same one: “ He goes to the right - he starts a song, to the left - he tells a fairy tale... ».
In all positions: senator, director of the Hermitage, director of imperial theaters, manager of porcelain and glass factories in Russia, etc. and so on. — Nikolai Borisovich could not do without innovations. Having become the director of the imperial theaters, he numbered the rows and chairs so that the audience could be seated " according to purchased tickets", and not to anyone where he pleases. Having received control of the Hermitage, he asked Pope Pius VI for permission to copy Raphael’s loggias and transferred the distant beauties of the Vatican to St. Petersburg. It was his principle to have the world's masterpieces within his personal reach. Having retired from business, the prince recreated France in Arkhangelskoye near Moscow, arranging it in the manner of Versailles. A palace, a regular park with terraces, an alley of hornbeam trees, a round platform with a colonnade, and its own theater. And only in the distance on the horizon is a bluish forest haze - Russia. In the fate of his great-great-grandson, this plot, as befits a reflection, will be reversed: living in France, Felix will remember the slender gardens of Arkhangelsk as “a Russian landscape dear to his heart.” The memoirs of the skeptical great-great-grandson are full of pictures of his grandfather’s madness, the “intoxicated” life of the Russian aristocracy, which did not know how to restrain itself in anything. When asked if he had estates in this or that district, Nikolai Borisovich sent them to hell - to the manager. He couldn’t stand the prose of life, and from the outside his complete disregard for everyday life looked either like an overstep or a pathological stinginess - at one time in Arkhangelskoye they used sawdust instead of firewood until they burned down part of the art collection. On his favorite estate (“Arkhangelskoye is not for profit, but for fun and pleasure”), the prince banned arable farming: grain was bought from neighbors, and men worked in the gardens, trimmed bushes, watered tropical flowers, put gold earrings into the gills of fish and carded the wool of Tibetan camels. The prince carried with him everywhere his mistresses, slaves, dogs, monkeys, a library and the rest of the corps de ballet. What about Pushkin’s Don Juan lists, the “honorary lover of art” did not keep lists, but simply lived, like a pasha in the seraglio, and displayed his goods with his face: 300 portraits of beauties in the Arkhangelsk estate - a complete register of his masculine exploits . With one wave of his wand, the entire fortress theater was exposed. Ancient blood played: the Yusupov family comes from the Nogai Murzas, their ancestors, emirs and caliphs, are mentioned in the tales of the Arabian Nights. No matter how Felix sneered at his grandfather’s eccentricities, he inherited them in full. When he created the Irfe fashion house in Paris in 1924, he would not so much manage the house as decorate interiors and shop windows. Drape the windows with yellow silk, hang antique prints, choose panels for the walls and figure out how to improve the fashion models' booths (fashion, it's not only for clients, but also for models). As for money, Felix had no feelings for it: having his own business, he did not have a wallet. Banknotes were lying everywhere just like that, in envelopes. A retinue of eccentrics and pea buffoons surrounded Felix both in Russia and in Europe - all great-great-great, he was also a merry fellow and a connoisseur of the original.

Strictly speaking, the Yusupov family was interrupted long before Felix was born. His mother Zinaida Nikolaevna, due to the lack of male heirs, remained the last in the family - she received both the title and all the wealth. With imperial permission, she passed on the title and surname to her husband and son. A dazzling beauty and “a girl with character,” Zinaida Nikolaevna did something unprecedented for a princess - she married for love. She preferred the not very well-born Felix Elston-Sumarokov, a real Prussian with a lush mustache, to blue-blooded suitors. The Sumarokovs’ motto “On the Straight Road” seemed to be specially invented to annoy the Yusupovs with their craving for excess, eccentricity and scandals.

• Let's take a little break. After all, the Yusupov Palace in Koreiz, the Arza fountain and the Mermaid sculpture were invented and paid for by Felix, Prince Yusupov, Count Sumarokov-Elston Sr. His artistic taste was undoubtedly at its best.

Or was Zinaida Nikolaevna subconsciously looking for Yusupov’s alter ego - the head of the family and a good father to future children, but without quirks? If so, then she missed. The head of the family left Sumarokov in disrepair. The “soldier” did not know how to manage his huge fortune, he knew nothing about the arts, exemplary order on the Moika and on the estates was maintained by Zinaida Nikolaevna. The children did not listen to him. For homosexual antics he knew how to slap Felix with a stern, slam the door and bring down a portrait, but he had no influence over his son. Felix's brother Nikolai played a quick game of tic-tac-toe with fate and died in a duel at the age of 25. No matter how hard Elston-Sumarokov tried to curb Yusupov’s blood, it was all to no avail. He did not curb Moscow either when he was appointed military mayor in 1915, and, as luck would have it, 10 days later German pogroms began. Without Sumarokov, Muscovites destroyed bowler hats (a German invention and a prototype of the German helmet), but with Sumarokov they began to “hit hard.” The chief was removed from his post in no time. In his father's company, Felix most often felt boredom and awkwardness; their rare conversations were a dim corner with cobwebs in which the guilty were placed. But mother... Felix dreamed of recreating exactly such a woman later on the Parisian catwalks: slender, elegant, in impeccable toilets, evoking dreams of the East, shrouded in the flair of an aristocratic past, as legendary as her pearls. Felix was not interested in dressing flapper women—midnight dancers and carefree fashionistas of Hollywood cinema—in Paris. He recalled how, in heavy bracelets and a kokoshnik, with a careless ability to wear jewelry (among which Peregrina is a pearl that once belonged to the Spanish king, and in the 1960s bought by Elizabeth Taylor), Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova came out to the guests, and the Arab servant , struck by her appearance, fell on his face. Felix was born in a palace on the Moika, whose luxury and elegance are not inferior to the Winter Palace. What does the little prince, a fifth-generation esthete, play? Felix's favorite toys are “obzhedars”. In his mannered memoirs, the prince, writing with archaisms and slight irregularities, sparkles with words from the palace past: “obzhedary”, “scandalize”. It was considered not entirely decent to give jewelry to ladies, so in the Yusupovs’ heaps there were a lot of antique items for display, objets dart - miniatures, figurines, bouquets. Felix played with a solid sapphire Venus, a ruby ​​Buddha, and a bronze black man with a basket full of diamonds. Gods and Moors are favorite characters in his childhood fantasies. He liked to close himself in the Moorish hall, the mosaic on the walls of which repeated the patterns of the Alhambra, wrap himself in long strands of his mother’s pearls, put a turban on his head, his fingers covered in multi-carat diamonds, and dream: he is the Sultan, the servants are slaves, he is swinging a dagger.

While ordinary boys were playing soldiers, Felix was rummaging through the wardrobe, which contained so many luxurious clothes, gizmos and jewelry that would be enough for all the fairy tales of Scheherazade. He pulled out from there either a magnificent esprit made of ostrich feathers, or a ball gown studded with diamonds, or an Ottoman-style turban (in Koreiz, the Yusupovs kept a whole wardrobe of oriental clothes for the amusement of guests). Felix appreciated the beauty of women's clothing - ruffles, ruffles, darts - when he tried it on himself. Until the age of five, the princess dressed him as a girl, and he stopped passers-by: “Look how beautiful I am!”

• from Felix’s memories: he was born so weak and so ugly that his older brother got scared and demanded “throw this nasty thing out the window.” But by the age of three, his appearance became picturesque.

In the Berlin Zoo, through the bars, he tickled a lion’s butt with a cane: “Turn around, I’m wearing a new suit!” “A real man should be either a courtier or a military man,” the empress instructed him, and Felix ran away from her to Oxford and made a sensation in English masques.

• The surname Elston (surprise) on the father’s side was not entirely legal in the aristocratic environment; behind it there was some kind of secret connection between the English royal house and a certain French noble family. In any case, Felix Yusupov was considered a relative of the Queen of England. At Oxford he was in a special position.

Hobbling around in mother’s heels, trying on grown-up dresses—all girls do it. But a boy in women's clothing, endlessly having fun at costume balls?

However, it was difficult to resist: he had one of the best wardrobes in Europe at his disposal. Felix made his first parade in a woman's dress at the age of 12. Together with their cousin (the parents were not at home), they powdered themselves, put on rouge, put on wigs and pearls, wrapped themselves in velvet and drove to Nevsky - a haven for prostitutes.

• In the memoirs of Felix Yusupov, the first trip in a woman’s dress was, indeed, at the age of 12. His older brother's fiancée dressed him up. Later, Felix attracted his peer and relative Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov, the emperor’s nephew, to restaurant adventures with guards officers. From this age, weekends and holidays for Felix Yusupov and Dmitry Romanov were always filled with alcohol and debauchery. Dmitry died at 51 from tuberculosis. About his life in the appendix to this review.
  As for Felix... From the age of 19, he regularly smoked opium (without abandoning the alcohol he had been accustomed to since childhood), but lived a long and very rich life with creative achievements - 80 years!

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov, 1905, 14 years old. Already on the occasion of his birth he had the following awards: Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (1891); Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (1891); Order of St. Anne 1st class. (1891); Order of the White Eagle (1891); Order of St. Stanislaus 1st class. (1891);

In the chic restaurant "Bear" champagne was brought to the "girls" Felix and Dmitry, Felix took off pearls of fabulous value and began throwing them on the heads of his neighbors like a lasso. The pearls scattered on the floor, and the remains of them, along with the bill for dinner, were sent to their father the next morning.

A hundred years ago, scandalous chronicles from the life of Yusupov Jr. occupied ordinary people no less than today yellow stories about the difficult children of famous politicians and show business stars. And even more: in that bashful, non-media era, stories about transvestites, perverts and drug addicts with rich daddies had not yet become completely boring. It seems that the parents did not have much faith in the possibility of re-educating Felix. In any case, in 1900 -m, in the year of their son’s debut on Nevsky, they made a rather strange will: “ In the event of a sudden demise of our family, we will bequeath all our movable and immovable property to the ownership of the state in the form of preserving these collections within the Empire to satisfy the aesthetic and scientific needs of the Fatherland».

Felix did not give up tricks with changing clothes until the death of his brother Nikolai, when it was no longer cranberry blood that flowed into their booth, but real blood. And before that he still managed to get out Blok's stranger (in a chiton of blue tulle, with a cape of blue and light blue feathers) on the stage of the St. Petersburg cabaret "Aquarium". On the posters there were mysterious stars instead of the performer’s name. Felix encored three times. At the seventh performance, friends of his parents identified him by his resemblance to the princess and family jewelry.. Felix had a rare talent for getting caught in his pranks. When in Venice, he first went to a brothel, then he met his mentor there, a teacher of fine arts named Don Andriano, an old man in a straw hat. At the Paris costume opera made the heart of the future King of Great Britain Edward VII beat faster, who spent the whole evening lorning the young charmer. Nothing special: descriptions of Russian masquerades of the mid-19th century are full of anecdotes about how some adjutant Kavelin in a pink domino turned the head of his superiors. The trouble is that the heir to the English throne fell for this joke, and Zinaida Nikolaevna had to intervene and hush up the scandal, after which the idea of ​​marrying Felix turned into a real headache. As for homosexuality, among St. Petersburg aesthetes it, together with spiritualism, was a craze. Valentin Serov, who wrote about Felix in 1903, knew about his adventures, did not like him and called him “graphic” behind his back. There are no traces of majority in the portrait - the viewer is looked at by a handsome man with a cold, strong-willed face and a gentle smile. " Felix has God in one eye and the devil in the other ", - said Anna Pavlova . Leaning on a marbled Great Dane, Felix holds his pet bulldog Clown by the paw. Dogs always lived with him, bulldogs were his first and most characteristic models, or, as they said then, “mannequins.”

Felix came to listen to lectures at Oxford at a time when the transition was taking place from the prim Victorian era to the Art Nouveau style, which was called “Edwardian”, in honor of the reigning King Edward VII. Felix was not drawn to science, but in England he learned to brilliantly hit tennis serves (the second racket in Russia after cousin Mikhail), brought flowers to Anna Pavlova, introduced the fashion for black carpets and almost introduced it to Russian suits. He rented an apartment opposite Hyde Park and began to experiment: orange curtains, chairs in bright stains the color of earthenware, a blue glass lamp with an orange lampshade - in its light, faces seemed porcelain. I ordered a shaggy black carpet for the floor. The owners of the furniture store mistook Felix for the devil and hid from him behind screens. In the bedroom, Felix had a blast, building a playboy alcove: a blue curtain, a carpet on the floor, also black, but with a flower pattern, and lamps in the corners. Despite the extravagance of the design, in the interior, as in the suit, Felix recognized only the time-tested. None of the Yusupovs would have thought of buying impressionists or sewing dresses “a la Lamanova” with bread crumbs instead of buttons.
The masquerades ended with Felix getting married. And at my own request. They met, as befits celestials, on a horseback ride, somewhere at a turn in the mountain path. Genius of pure beauty, Grand Duchess and niece of Nicholas II Irina Romanova revealed herself in all her glory, looked into her eyes and pranced past. That's it. He is not the only one who lives at the top! The nonsense about the greedy, self-interested, obnoxious ugly women they want to marry him with disappeared in an instant. No one was going to marry him to Irina Alexandrovna Romanova. Having heard that my son decided to settle down, Yusupovs convened historians, undertook genealogical research and erected roots of the family tree to Emir el Omr y, the emir of emirs and the sultan of sultans, and from him to the prophet Muhammad himself - they equated themselves with the Romanovs. And on the eve of the wedding everything went to hell. Someone cheated the royal family - one of Felix's former friends and lovers. So that he finally understands that love is not something to joke about. Engaged, in love and happy, Felix walked onto the platform of the Parisian station when the figure of Count Mordvinov moved towards him. The Grand Duke's envoy brought bad news. So bad that Felix’s ancestors would certainly have imprisoned him, thrown him to the jackals, or cut off his head - the Romanovs terminated the engagement and forbade him to visit... Felix was not one of those who fall headlong into love. He believed that only those who have nothing left spend themselves without a trace. But in this blow there was a burning thrill of wounded pride. Fate intended to read morals to him! She hinted that neither money, nor connections, nor the Prophet Muhammad himself could cancel his bad reputation. And he started.
From the station he rushed to the hotel to the Romanovs - don’t care about etiquette - straight into his room, without a report, to convince him, to prove that he had been slandered. Even before the engagement, the prince came to Irina with revelations, and she, who grew up among brothers, was accustomed to listening to men’s stories from childhood. Don’t be afraid, queen, the blood has long gone into the ground, and grape trees now grow there... She wasn’t afraid. Silent Irina said her word: either him or no one. At the wedding in the Anichkov Palace, the most beautiful couple in Russia showed themselves in all their charm and in all their madness. As a wedding gift, Felix asked Nicholas II for permission to sit in the theater in the imperial box. (" I married my wife out of snobbery, and she married me for money. " is his favorite joke.)

• In his memoirs, Prince Felix Yusupov Jr. honestly writes that Irina Romanova, who grew up among brothers, did not have female coquetry and never sought to divert attention to herself in social interactions. Felix always knew that next to his wife, he would always be the center of society. Nevertheless, the Yusupov couple adopted the young Mexican artist. But that is another story. It definitely has nothing to do with Crimea.

On the way to the chapel, the groom got stuck in the elevator, and was rescued from the shaking box by “the entire royal army” and the emperor himself. Princess Irina stood at the altar in a dress of white satin with silver embroidery, wearing the tiara and veil of the executed Marie Antoinette. Lying on the wedding wreaths, with his tongue hanging out, was a black beast - the bulldog Punch. The parents gave the couple a mezzanine of a house on the Moika, and after the wedding, Felix again plunged into experiments with interiors, but this time he was building a family nest, and not furnishing a garconniere. The radiant living room shone with ivory silk, the walls were Dutch, the library had bookcases made of Karelian birch and emerald green walls, an amethyst dining room with Arkhangelsk porcelain - a mixture of Rococo, Empire and classicism. The prince loved this strict and fragile combination most of all; he could not stand revolutions in art, as in life. When the revolution does happen, it will seem to him like a masquerade in hell. The revolutionary days in his memoirs are described as a triumph of bad taste. The sailors burst into the Crimean estate - many are roughly powdered and perfumed, looted pearls and diamonds dangle from their hairy chests, like the onions of a tent vendor, and disgusting hands are covered in rings and bracelets. The prince raises his collar and gets into the engine, and on the facade of the palace on the Moika, which is already turning into a barracks, someone paints a red, ugly spreading cross. In the depths of his soul, Felix was afraid that it was he who stirred up this bloody orgy. He knew about the letter from the occultist Papus to the empress: “ From a Kabbalistic point of view, Rasputin is like a Pandora's box. It contains all the sins, atrocities and abominations of the Russian people. If this box breaks, the contents will immediately scatter throughout Russia" So it scattered?

• I never found a continuation of this article, but to the thoughtful reader I recommend the personally and honestly written memoirs of Prince Felix Yusupov. He very carefully describes the murder of Rasputin, which was only successful because the very cautious and suspicious Rasputin could not resist Felix’s charm. Prince Yusupov played the guitar, sang languid romances and waited for the potassium cyanide to work? This is the highest level of acting...

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Another article about the “vicious cherub”

Edgar-Cyril Dalberg

Not renounce loving

Quite recently, I decided to read the memoirs of Felix Yusupov, fully aware that a fascinating excursion into history awaits me, bloody and sad, but at the same time great and alluring - this happens sometimes. It was in the era of upheavals, revolutions, world wars that Prince Felix Feliksovich Sumarokov happened to live - Elston Jr. is from his father, Yusupov is from his mother. Charming and spontaneous, scandalous and shocking, kind and unpredictable. For me, it symbolizes the Russia that was lost irretrievably. A sophisticated bisexual and at the same time a courageous gentleman combined organically in him. He was never afraid to be himself and did not hide what he thought. As befits a true Russian prince, he did not accept French citizenship, remaining stateless until the end of his life, maintaining a Russian passport. He so wanted to return to his native Russia. It wasn't meant to be. However, it may be better that Russia remained in his memories as he loved it forever and which he would never find like that again. My story is about a man who, to some extent, predetermined the course of Russian history in the pre-revolutionary period.

Felix was born on March 24, 1887 in the St. Petersburg house of the Yusupov family on the Moika. Felix was the fourth boy, the youngest child in a family where two died in infancy. Felix and his older brother Nikolai lived to adulthood, who would later die in a duel at the age of 25. Seeing the newborn Felix, 5-year-old Nikolai blurted out: “Throw him out the window.” However, subsequently the brothers became very close to each other. From a very early age, Felix became close to his mother, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, the last in the Yusupov family, one of the richest heiresses in Russia. She was really looking forward to a girl, but Felix was born. Zinaida Nikolaevna dressed him like a girl, allowed him to play with her magnificent outfits and, in general, allowed him to do everything that is only permissible for a girl. Felix was glad to try. He looked at his mother as if she were a goddess. She was indeed one of the most beautiful women of her time and one of the smartest, it should be noted. Felix learned kindness from her.

Felix's father was Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston, adjutant general. He was a man of action - devoted to the interests of the Empire. They always had a difficult relationship with Felix. He wanted to see his continuation in him, but this did not happen and could not happen - father and son were very different, and therefore there was a distance between them throughout their lives. Since 1891, the husband of Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, by imperial decree, began to be called Count Sumarokov-Elston, Prince Yusupov. Their son, Felix, also bore the same title. His parents were very different people. The princess was a very secular, enthusiastic person who adored art and was a great musician and singer. Felix Jr. inherited all these virtues. He danced beautifully and loved ballet. He was very friendly with the great ballerina Anna Pavlova. This family was always surrounded by people of art and science, and Felix Sumarokov Elston Sr. was a man of a different type. Sometimes this bothered him and he sought solitude. And yet it was a happy family.

Felix Jr. was impressed by his reputation as a rebel and a rather eccentric youth. His trips to restaurants dressed as a woman, then performances in a cabaret, where, with a soprano voice given to him by God, he dressed up as a woman and amused the audience. It was his nature. To shock and surprise was his destiny. The father, of course, knew about his son’s antics, and the princess understood that this was the fault of her upbringing, but the son never reproached her; he idolized her. The student Yusupov was not distinguished by diligence and perseverance, but he was very lively and spontaneous and quickly grasped on the fly, however, only what interested him. This quality of his - setting priorities - was very useful to him in the future.

In addition to his mother and brother, in his youth and in subsequent years Felix's close friend was the Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fedorovna - sister of the Empress of the Russian Empire Alexandra. The Grand Duchess was a close friend of Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova. Felix considered her his second mother. She knew about all his adventures and considered him a man of pure soul, but whether the flesh was sinful was not important to her - a devout and very intelligent woman who considered love and compassion for others to be the most important postulates of life. It was she who inspired Felix that he was responsible for his great family and how much good he could do to people. And he did. He helped with the sick in the hospital under the patronage of the Grand Duchess, and cared for the wounded during the First World War. By that time, his brother Nikolai was no longer alive. In 1908, after the death of his older brother Nikolai in a duel, Felix became the sole heir to the rich Yusupov family fortune. Nicholas was killed in a duel by Count Manteuffel, with whose wife, Maria Heyden, Nicholas had a relationship. This grief united the Yusupov family even more, but Zinaida Nikolaevna never recovered from this tragedy until the end of her days. Felix was also depressed. This was essentially the first tragedy in his life. At this time, the family, as always, was greatly supported by Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. Felix considered her a Saint.

The Grand Duchess and her husband, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, did not have their own children. They raised Sergei Alexandrovich's own nephews - orphans: Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna the Younger and Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich. Dmitry Pavlovich was destined to leave an indelible mark on the life and soul of Felix Feliksovich Yusupov. The scandalous reputation of Felix did not frighten Dmitry at all - on the contrary, he liked that Felix was special, artistic, sincere, very lively. And Felix felt comfortable with the Grand Duke. He was an authority for Dmitry Pavlovich. Neither one nor the other ever said how close they were, but the famous writer Nina Berberova, who knew Felix closely, stated that their relationship was more than friendly. And she's not alone. Dmitry Pavlovich was the favorite of the royal couple, and the sovereign and empress did not like the friendship between their favorite and the scandalous handsome Yusupov. Grand Duchess Elizaveta Fedorovna had a different opinion - she and her sister (Empress Alexandra Feodorovna) had completely different views on life and character. And frankly speaking, they didn’t get along. Neither before nor after. Dmitry was little concerned about rumors about the connection between his uncle Sergei Alexandrovich and Felix. The Governor General of Moscow had a reputation as a “black sheep” in the Romanov family. Only he doted on his nephews - two orphans Dmitry and Maria. Be that as it may, together with Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, they went down in history as one of the main organizers and perpetrators of the murder of Rasputin.

From 1909 to 1912, Felix Yusupov studied at Oxford, where he founded the Russian Society of Oxford University. He fell in love with England, he liked authentic Oxford. In addition, in England he made a lot of friends, with some of whom he remained friends until the end of his days. Felix liked simplicity and warmth in people. He did not like pomposity and hypocrisy, hypocrisy and pretense. He parted with many people, was disappointed in others, but he loved people and tried to see the best in them. He liked being in England, but he missed home. And while at home, he was drawn to Oxford. Having inherited the Tatar genes of his ancestors, he often admitted that he adopted nomadism from them. He was drawn to adventures and all kinds of adventures, which, however, did not prevent him from becoming one of the most educated young people of the Russian Empire. He never stopped communicating with Dmitry Pavlovich. There were too many things that connected them. Over time, however, their paths diverged. There was a reason for that.

This reason was Her Highness the princess of imperial blood - Irina Alexandrovna Romanova - the niece of Nicholas II, the daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna - the sister of the last Russian emperor. Felix knew her from his youth. The crowned Romanov family was not against intermarrying with the richest family in Russia. Felix and Irina liked each other. And when her father, Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich came to Zinaida Nikolaevna to discuss Irina’s proposed marriage with Felix, Felix was happy. Irina had a reputation as one of the most beautiful brides of the Romanov house. She was very modest and shy. Before the engagement, Felix told her everything, without hiding his relationships with men, he explained what shocked him in women and why he was more drawn to male society. Not at all embarrassed, Irina Alexandrovna Romanova understood him and accepted him. Having 6 brothers and being the eldest child in the family, she, fortunately for Felix, was deprived of those feminine qualities that irritated him. She was a very smart person. And both realized that they were looking in the same direction. But Felix didn't know that Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov also wanted to marry her. True, earlier they wanted to marry him to the daughter of Emperor Nicholas II, Olga, but the all-powerful Rasputin at that time told the Empress about his connections with men. Dmitry harbored a grudge. Felix and Dmitry agreed not to interfere with Irina’s decision about who she wants to marry. But Irina Alexandrovna immediately declared that she would marry only Felix and no one else. However, not everything was so smooth. Felix was slandered in front of Irina’s parents, and by those whom he trusted. Shortly before the wedding, Irina's father announces a break in the engagement. Felix manages to convince his future father-in-law that his decision was wrong and hasty. Irina showed firmness and emphasized once again - either Felix or no one. The fate of the young people was to be decided by Irina’s grandmother - the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna - nee Princess Dagmar Frederica Glücksburg, daughter of the Danish King Christian - mother of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II. This was an outstanding personality. Irina was her favorite granddaughter. Felix and Irina, accompanied by Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna, went to Copenhagen, where Maria Feodorovna was visiting her relatives. After talking with Felix, she said: “Don’t be afraid, I’m with you.” On February 22, 1914, the wedding of Prince Felix and Princess Irina Alexandrovna Romanova took place in St. Petersburg.

After the wedding, the newlyweds went on a trip. From the departing train, Felix noticed Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich in the distance on the platform. Who exactly he came to say goodbye to is unknown to anyone except the two of them. The wedding became a turning point in their relationship, but not so much that it would be interrupted. Felix wrote: “I have always been outraged by human injustice towards those who love differently. You can blame same-sex love, but not the lovers themselves. Normal relationships are contrary to their nature. Are they to blame for being created this way?” Of course he meant himself. True, it would be nice for today’s domestic leaders and representatives of the so-called leadership and ruling elite to pay attention to the words of a man who approached this elite like no one else. Not only because he was an aristocrat, and not because he believed in God and was Orthodox, but because he was raised by representatives of the old Russian formation, which knew how to see and accept human characteristics. Among the representatives of his society, there were enough such judgments. Maybe the revolution happened, that the representatives of that ruling Russia were tolerant, for the most part, tactful and subtle people. And the representative of the most famous Yusupov family, Felix Feliksovich, whose ancestors were Tatars, was by nature a nomad and eccentric, as few people had sobriety of thinking and nobility of thought. It’s bitter to realize that there are no others, and those are far away. Irina Alexandrovna was his adviser in everything and understood perfectly well that this nature could not be changed or re-educated - she loved him for those qualities for which many loved - the simplicity of his soul, human warmth and the insidiousness of passions that were intertwined in him with a thin thread. On March 21, 1915, Irina and Felix became parents. They had a daughter, Princess Irina Feliksovna Yusupova, named after her mother. The young people were happy. They were not allowed to have any more children.

Felix and Irina, as well as Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna and Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, believed that Grigory Rasputin wanted to attack Russia. Largely because of him, the rest of the Romanovs moved away from the royal couple, with the exception of Grand Duke Konstantin and his family and Grand Duchess Militsa Nikolaevna, the wife of Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich. It was she who introduced Elder Rasputin to the imperial couple. Militsa Nikolaevna was fond of mysticism and introduced Alexandra Fedorovna to this. Rasputin could relieve attacks of hemophilia from Tsarevich Alexei, for which he was perceived by the Empress as nothing less than a saint. Rasputin indeed possessed hypnotic powers, but his influence on the Imperial Court began to grow exorbitantly. Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna was the first to suspect the danger. After her conversation with the Empress, however, she realized that the Empress did not want to hear anything negative about Grigory Efimovich. And she never came to her again. Elizaveta Feodorovna also spoke with her sister. To no avail.

The empress considered everything slander, because saints are always slandered. Rasputin could appoint and dismiss, and then arrange for those who were beneficial to him. He had the most power. The Emperor silently agreed with all his wife’s orders - for Rasputin is the savior of their son, the future ruler of the Empire.

Felix Feliksovich, together with Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, deputy Vladimir Purishkevich and British intelligence officer Oscar Rayner, plotted to kill Rasputin. But first, Felix needed to win the trust of the troublemaker of all Rus'. Under the pretext of curing homosexuality, Felix became close to Rasputin. I will not go into the detailed course of events of that distant murder, I will only note that under the pretext of meeting Irina Alexandrovna, who, of course, was aware of this plan, but was in the Crimea at the time of the murder, Rasputin was invited to the Yusupov Palace, where on the night of December 17 In 1916, Rasputin was killed by conspirators. The details of this crime are still not completely clear. Each of the conspirators confused the investigation with their testimony. Today there is a version that the last fatal shot was made by Oscar Rayner- British intelligence agent, close friend and lover of Felix Yusupov since his days at Oxford. Felix considered the murder of Rasputin to be the deliverance of Russia from evil, which was the troublemaker Grigory Rasputin “The Tsar’s Friend,” as he was called. The murder, no matter how blasphemous it may sound, was greeted with a storm of delight in all segments of the population. Of course, there were fanatical admirers of the elder, but there were few of them against the general background of those rejoicing. Felix was sent into exile on the estate of his father Rakitino, in the Kursk Province. Dmitry Pavlovich was sent to the Persian Front. Exile there saved him from Revolutionary bullets. It must be said that at the station late at night, when Dmitry was leaving Petrograd, the train chief made him understand that he could take the train to a siding, from where it would be easy to escape. Dmitry did not run away and survived - sometimes the obviously worst becomes the unsupposed best.

Felix Feliksovich survived the revolution, but it forever separated him from his homeland and took his loved ones away from him. In Alapaevsk in 1918, the Russian Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna was killed. The Kaiser of Germany would have saved her if she had not been unshakable in her decision not to leave Russia. Felix soon said goodbye to her. She considered Rasputin to be the devil for Russia and made it clear to Felix that he had delivered her from the demon. Together with her, Princes John, Konstantin and Igor, the sons of Grand Duke Konstantin, were thrown into the mine. Dmitry Pavlovich's half-brother, Vladimir Paley, was also a victim in Alapaevsk. Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich died with them. Felix believed that over time, Elizaveta Fedorovna should be canonized. On July 17, 1918, the royal family was shot in Yekaterinburg. Nicholas II, Alexandra Feodorovna and their children were shot in the Ipatiev House.

Felix with Irina and their little daughter were in Crimea, on his estate Ai-Todor. They remained in Crimea until April 1919. On April 13, Felix Yusupov and his family boarded the battleship Marlborough, leaving Russia.

• estate Ai-Todor V Gaspre belonged to the Grand Duke, who began his career as a midshipman in the Black Sea Fleet. His authority among the sailors of Sevastopol is the only reason for the salvation of all the Romanovs and their relatives who ended up in Crimea during the Civil War.

Led by the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, who lost her sons and grandsons during the Revolution, and was sobbing while standing on the bow of the Marlboro. None of them were destined to see Russia again. They didn’t know it then and hoped that they would definitely return. Did not happen.

Almost all of the Yusupov family jewelry and jewelry remained in Russia. Only those that Irina Alexandrovna and Zinaida Nikolaevna had with them have survived. But in Paris, Felix and Irina forgot about the ancient jewelry that their familiar jeweler was remaking. True, they were later stolen. Felix's friend. Prince Yusupov Jr. had unlimited faith in people. Felix's car, which he bought more than 5 years ago, was waiting for him in the garage - this greatly simplified the family's movement. In London, at the Ritz Hotel, there was a knock on Felix's door. Having opened the door, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich stood on the threshold. Irina was away with her father in France. Dmitry and Felix did not part until Dmitry left. Dmitry Pavlovich offered to move from London to him in Switzerland, but Felix could not because new refugees were arriving from Russia who needed him. He never refused anyone. I considered this my first duty. Felix's parents and little Irina were in Rome. In Rome, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova headed the central committee to help refugees from Russia. In 1920, Felix and Irina moved to Paris. The Yusupovs spent huge amounts of money to support the refugees, which they no longer had. From Russia they were able to take out two originals of Rembrandt, some jewelry and a house on Lake Geneva remained. The remaining treasures were pledged to support the refugees and themselves. With money from the sale of Rembrandt's paintings, the Yusupovs bought a small house in Boulogne-sur-Seine. This house became a shelter for many Russians who were looking for support from people of boundless kindness, who were Felix and Irina Yusupov. Nowadays, there are enough wealthy people with wealth and opportunities, but most of them would not even think of helping someone, organizing something, or trying to employ someone. A sense of mutual assistance and compassion was characteristic of representatives of the long-gone glorious and so tragic Russia.

In the mid-20s, Irina and Felix opened the Irfé fashion house, which, however, did not lead them to financial stability. They still did not know how to live within their means and, with their characteristic Russian hospitality and generosity, squandered what little they had. True, in the 30s, Felix won a lawsuit against the Hollywood film company Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The studio released a film - “Rasputin and the Empress” from which it followed that Irina Alexandrovna was Rasputin’s mistress. Which never happened. Irina never knew him. Felix managed to prove in court that this slander had nothing to do with reality. MGM paid the Yusupov family $25,000. Felix was not afraid to start this process and won the case.

Irina Feliksovna was raised by Felix's parents. She was close to both her parents. On November 24, 1939, Zinaida Nikolaevna passed away. Dying, she held her son's hand. Throughout her life, he was her support in everything. After his father's death, she was his main concern. During the Second World War, Felix categorically refused to cooperate with the Nazis, despite the threat of losing a family rarity - the unique oval Pelegrin pearl from the collection of the Yusupov princes. The Germans audited the safes in the bank where it was located and, in exchange for returning the pearl, offered Felix cooperation. Prince Yusupov replied: “Neither my wife nor I will agree to this under any circumstances. It’s better to lose Pelegrina.” Three and a half years later, the pearl was returned to the Yusupovs. In 1942, the Yusupovs had a granddaughter, Ksenia. The hardest blow for Felix was the news of the death of Dmitry Pavlovich in March 1942. With him went his youth, tenderness and what was known only to the two of them. Felix's daughter, Irina, was married to Count Sheremetev and lived in Rome. They were able to see their granddaughter only after the war, in 1946.

In 1953, Felix sold to Pelegrina. We needed money. He and Irina Alexandrovna lived for more than 20 years in their house on Pierre Guerin Street. They retained their youth of soul until the end of their days. Guests were always welcome. This great couple carried a sense of self-esteem throughout their entire dramatic life, replete with sharp turns and not without tragedies. They persevered and helped others persevere. On September 27, 1967, at the age of 80, the last of the Yusupov princes, Felix Feliksovich, dies. A whimsical but genuine Russian aristocrat, both by birth and by spirit, which is not always the case, he left a memory of himself, first of all, as a man who loved his Fatherland. Yes, he was an exile, but he was not a traitor. His heart remained there - among the birches and memories of the time when he was painted by his adored Valentin Serov. Princess of Imperial Blood, Her Highness Irina Alexandrovna Yusupova, née Romanova, died on February 26, 1970. Their union with Prince Yusupov was a rare example of like-minded people, patriots - forced to leave their native land and people not indifferent to the pain of others. She was buried in the same grave with her mother-in-law, Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova. There was no money for another place in the cemetery. Their daughter, Irina Feliksovna, died in August 1983 at the age of 68. She was buried with her parents and grandmother in the famous Parisian cemetery of Saint-Genevieve des Bois, where many representatives of old Russia who made up its glory found their final refuge. Today, a direct descendant of Felix and Irina is their granddaughter Ksenia Sfiri - née Sheremeteva. She is married. She has a daughter and two grandchildren. Lives in Greece. She visited the homeland of her famous ancestors. And today she is also a citizen of Russia.

As a young man in Paris, I met a wonderful man who was already over 90. He spoke Russian with a strong accent. He was a descendant of the noble Muravyov family. You should have seen his eyes filled with tears of happiness from the fact that he was closely acquainted with Felix Feliksovich Yusupov. He was friends with their daughter Irina. Much later, I realized the full power of the charm of a brawler of Tatar blood, who knew how to love and remain forever in human memory.

Sometimes I go out in the evening onto the balcony of my Pierre-Guerin house and in the suburban silence of Auteuil I definitely hear the echo of the past in the distant Parisian noise...

Will I ever see Russia?..

No one is allowed to hope. I’m already in those years when you can’t think about the future unless you’re out of your mind.

And yet I still dream about a time that, probably, will not come for me and which I call:

"After the expulsion."

Felix Yusupov “Memoirs”

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Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, who used the surname Romanov in emigration (September 6 (18), 1891, Ilyinskoye estate, Zvenigorod district, Moscow province - March 5, 1942, Davos, Switzerland) - the only son of Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich from his marriage to the Greek princess Grand Duchess Alexandra Georgievna, grandson of Alexander II, cousin of Emperor Nicholas II. Great-grandson of Nicholas I on his father's side and great-great-grandson on his mother's side (through his grandmother, Queen Olga Konstantinovna of Greece). Participant in the murder of G. E. Rasputin, after the revolution of 1917 - in exile. Father of Pavel Romanov-Ilyinsky, colonel of the American army.

Dmitry's mother died as a result of the premature birth of her second child, Dmitry. His father, Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich, married again to the ex-wife of his subordinate (General Pistolkors) Olga Karnovich and was expelled from Russia for morganatic marriage. Dmitry and his older sister Maria Pavlovna were raised in the family of their uncle, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and his wife Elizaveta Feodorovna, who did not have children of their own (Elizabeth Feodorovna is the sister of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna). Sergei Alexandrovich was the Moscow governor-general, and Dmitry and Maria spent their childhood in Moscow.

In 1905, Grand Duke Sergei died in the Moscow Kremlin from the explosion of a bomb by the Socialist Revolutionary Ivan Kalyaev. Elizaveta Fedorovna retired to the Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy, which she created. Dmitry was taken to his place in the Alexander Palace of Tsarskoye Selo by Emperor Nicholas II, and the young man was raised in the royal family until 1913. Subsequently, Dmitry Pavlovich became the owner of the St. Petersburg Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace, which was previously owned by his uncle.

The Grand Duke received an excellent military education. He graduated from the Officers' Cavalry School and began his service in the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment of His Majesty.

In 1912 he participated in the Summer Olympic Games in Stockholm in equestrian competitions. Took 9th place in individual show jumping and 5th place as part of the Russian team in team show jumping.

On June 6, 1912, the engagement of Grand Duke Dmitry to the Emperor's eldest daughter Olga was supposed to take place, but the mother of the Grand Duchess, Alexandra Feodorovna, insisted on breaking off relations between the lovers because of Dmitry's undisguised antipathy towards Grigory Rasputin.

He entered the First World War with the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment. He took part in the campaign in East Prussia and was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree. For the fact that while in the battle on August 6th near Kraupishken, as an orderly for the head of a cavalry detachment, in the midst of the battle, with obvious danger to life, he delivered correct information about the enemy, as a result of which measures were taken that were crowned with complete success.

He is widely known for his participation in the murder of G. E. Rasputin on the night of December 17, 1916, together with Prince Felix Yusupov, State Duma member V. M. Purishkevich, Lieutenant Sukhotin, Doctor Lazavert and, possibly, some other unidentified persons. However, unlike Yusupov, Dmitry never spoke about this murder during his subsequent life, did not give interviews or discuss it even with people close to him.

After the discovery of Rasputin's corpse, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich and Prince Yusupov were arrested on the direct orders of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in violation of applicable law; were released only after the intervention of Nicholas II so as not to provoke society, already worried about the murder of the favorite, into sympathy for the murderers and possible further actions of the conspirators.

In defense of Dmitry Pavlovich, a letter signed by some members of the Imperial House was submitted to the emperor.

Sent by order of Nicholas II to Persia, to the detachment of General N.N. Baratov, which could have significantly undermined the already weak health of the Grand Duke, but actually saved his life after the start of the revolution in Russia.

In Paris, Dmitry Pavlovich met the famous French couturier Coco Chanel, they had an affair that lasted only a year. But it was thanks to him that she met Ernest Beaux, the perfumer who created Chanel No. 5.

After emigrating, he lived for some time in the USA, where he was engaged in the champagne trade and met his future wife. He was interested in car racing.

In 1926, in Biarritz, he married an American woman, Audrey Emery, who converted to Orthodoxy with the name Anna. From the mid-1920s, the couple lived in Europe, where Dmitry Pavlovich participated in various monarchical and patriotic movements (including playing a significant role in the formation of the Mladorossov movement). In 1928, their son Pavel was born, who took the title of His Serene Highness Prince Romanovsky-Ilyinsky from Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich and lived in the USA from the 1940s. His sons Dmitry and Mikhail are the eldest among the descendants of the Romanovs (in the male line among the descendants from morganatic marriages), although they recognize Nikolai Romanovich Romanov as the head of the “Association of Members of the Romanov Family” and do not claim leadership in the house (and the throne).

Soon after the birth of their son, the couple separated, although the marriage was officially dissolved only in 1937. After the divorce, Audrey lost her title. Dmitry Pavlovich settled in the Norman castle of Beaumesnil, which he bought in 1927.

In the end, he became disillusioned with the prospects for restoring the monarchy in Russia and withdrew from public life. In 1939 he sold his castle of Beaumesnil and, due to deteriorating health, lived in Switzerland.

He died in 1942 from tuberculosis, complicated by uremia. He was buried in the palace church on the island of Mainau (the property of his nephew Count Bernadotte) next to his sister, Maria Pavlovna.
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Hunting castle of the Yusupovs in Sokolin, Bakhchisarai district

In 1908, the Yusupovs acquired an estate in Kokkozy (Bogatyr volost), in which, at the request of Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, it was decided to build a “house in the local style.” Construction was entrusted to the chief architect of Yalta, Nikolai Petrovich Krasnov, who at that time was already busy with the construction of the Koreizsky (for Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich) and Livadia palaces. The owners, who had served the Russian tsars since the 15th century and were famous for their military valor, gave the new estate the name Askerin (translated as belonging to a warrior).

The building was white (in the spirit of Tatar mountain houses), the roof was covered with shiny majolica tiles, the color of a sea wave, and the lancet windows had openwork frames. On the wall to the left of the main entrance there was a wall fountain, the Blue Eye, in the form of a shallow lancet niche, lined with greenish majolica tiles, with a ceramic image in the center of a stylized blue eye, from which a trickle of water flowed.
This is a reference to the name of the village: Kokkoz translated from Tatar means blue eye. In the large double-height living room there was a copy of the Bakhchisarai fountain of tears, and in the park there was another fountain, created based on local legends. The palace complex also included: a bridge over Kokkozka, followed by a mosque - a gift from the prince to the local population. The palace was visited by Nicholas II and King Manuel II of Portugal.

Already in exile, Felix Yusupov left memories of the palace:
The palace was white, with a roof made of ancient tiles, covered with glaze, to which the patina of time had given different shades of green. It was surrounded by a vineyard, a small stream ran near the walls - you could fish for trout from the balcony. Inside, the furniture, painted in bright red, blue and green colors, was copied from ancient Tatar furniture. Oriental fabrics covered the sofas and walls. The large dining room was illuminated during the day through Persian stained glass windows on the ceiling. In the evening, illuminated from within, they let an iridescent light into the room, harmoniously mixing with the light of the candles on the table. One of the walls was decorated with a marble fountain, where water flowed drop by drop with a gentle plaintive sound through many small shells, from one to another. This fountain was an exact reproduction of what was in the Khan's palace... The blue eye was everywhere: in stained glass windows, above the fountain, in the cypress park and in the oriental ornamentation of cutlery...

Manuel II (port. Manuel II, 1889-1932) - the last king of Portugal. Belonged to the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, officially considered a representative of the Braganza dynasty.

Second son of King Carlos I and Amelia d'Orléans. He ascended the throne at the age of 19 after the murder of the father and elder brother of the heir to the throne, Luis Filipe, in Lisbon on February 1, 1908. Manuel himself was also slightly wounded in this attempt. He dismissed the dictatorial government and called democratic elections, in which the socialists and republicans won a decisive victory. Two years later (1910) he was overthrown by revolution and Portugal was proclaimed a republic.

While in exile, Manuel wrote a book about medieval Portuguese literature. Died in Great Britain. He was married to Augusta Victoria of Hohenzollern (1890-1966), but the marriage was childless. With his death, the Portuguese branch of the House of Coburg ended.

All that is known about Prince Manuel’s stay at the Kok-Koz estate of the Yusupov princes is that he did not want to leave Crimea, and even dreamed of abdicating the throne for this.

About the generational curse

The Yusupov family dates back to the times of the Golden Horde. The Yusupovs' ancestors were military leaders who allied with Ivan III and Ivan the Terrible. According to family legend, one of the Horde khans cursed them, saying that only one boy would live to reach the age of 26 until the destruction of the family.

Under Ivan the Terrible, they were even settled in the Kremlin, but some time later the family fell into disgrace with the Tsar after one of the Yusupovs fed the Metropolitan a goose under the guise of fish during Lent. In any case, this is how Felix Yusupov describes the history of his family name. They returned to the court under Peter I.

At various times, the ancestors were engaged in shipbuilding, theaters, Boris Yusupov under Anna Ioannovna (1740–1741) was the Moscow governor... In general, the Yusupovs were included in the royal palaces from very ancient times, and the family itself was considered the richest in the Russian Empire. And so on March 24, 1887, in the St. Petersburg house on the Moika, the youngest son was born to Princess Zinaida Yusupova and Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston. They named him, like his father, Felix.

Dancing before childbirth and women's dress

The day before, they assured me, my mother danced the night away at a ball in the Winter Palace, which means they said the child would be cheerful and inclined to dance. Indeed, by nature I am a cheerful person, but I am a bad dancer,” he writes in his memoirs.

The boy was born very weak; at first doctors were not sure that the child would even survive.

I was born the fourth boy. Two died in infancy. While carrying me, my mother was expecting her daughter, and they made a pink trousseau for the children. My mother was disappointed with me and, to console herself, she dressed me as a girl until I was five. I was not upset, on the contrary, I was proud,” Yusupov writes in his memoirs.

Of course, the boy had all the best since childhood. At the age of three he was taken abroad for the first time, and was raised by a nanny. Upon reaching seven years old, he was sent to the most progressive St. Petersburg gymnasium. Parents constantly traveled abroad and took their children with them. Italy, Germany, France...

Since the beginning of May, we have been in Arkhangelskoye, receiving numerous guests who arrived for the coronation celebrations,” Yusupov recalled.

The boy’s health left much to be desired even in adolescence. In particular, he was very worried about his own thinness, and the boy desperately tried to get fat.

Kicked out of school

They lived in St. Petersburg in winter, traveled to Tsarskoe Selo and Moscow. In the spring or summer we visited abroad and in Crimea. Felix was friends with the artist Valentin Serov, who painted portraits of the entire family in 1904.

He told me that when he was painting the portrait of the sovereign, the empress constantly annoyed him with advice. Finally, he could not stand it, handed her a brush and palette and asked her to finish for him, Yusupov recalled with a laugh.

A rich life in which there were no refusals, of course, spoiled the teenager. For educational purposes, his parents decided to send him to a military school. But Felix deliberately failed the exam, for which he was kicked out.

During the exam I argued with the priest. He told me to name the miracles of Christ. I said that Christ fed five people with five thousand loaves. Father, considering that I had misspoken, repeated the question. But I said that I answered correctly, that this is exactly what a miracle is. He staked me. “I was kicked out of school,” he writes.

Then it was decided to send the boy to the Gurevich gymnasium. It was considered experimental. Then Felix became close to his older brother, who at the age of 21 took the 17-year-old boy on parties. They usually took place at his girlfriend’s house. And then one day the whole company decided to leave home to continue the fun.

At that time I had to wear a school uniform, so I was afraid that at night I would not be allowed into any fun establishment. Polenka decided to dress me as a woman. In no time, she dressed and painted me so that even my own mother would not recognize me. I realized that I could appear anywhere in a woman’s dress. And from that moment on he led a double life. “During the day I am a high school student, at night I am an elegant lady,” Felix wrote.

In his memoirs, Yusupov complains a lot about the fact that same-sex relationships are condemned in Russia. He says about himself that he is not one of those who loves men. At the same time, it is very difficult for him to find a woman who will interest him for a long time.

Brother's death

At the age of 21, he learned that he would become the sole heir to the fabulous family fortune. The fact is that his older brother Nikolai was killed on Krestovsky Island during a duel in June 1908.

The valet Ivan woke me up, out of breath: “Get up quickly! It’s a misfortune!” Heartbreaking screams came from my father's room. I entered: my father, very pale, stood in front of the stretcher on which his brother’s body lay. Mother, kneeling in front of them, seemed to have gone mad,” writes Felix.

The woman was never able to fully recover from the death of her eldest son.

To Oxford

A year after the death of his brother, Yusupov practically did not leave his mother. Doctors send her to Crimea to treat her nerves. She would either laugh for no apparent reason or break into hysterics and sobs. Meanwhile, Felix invites his parents to sell some of the jewelry that “lies as dead weight” and open schools, museums and donate to charity. According to the young man, his mother categorically rejects this option.

Felix remembers how bored he was, how he missed his brother and dreamed of a change of scenery. Then he decides to go... to Oxford College. Even Empress Alexandra Feodorovna dissuaded him from such a decision, fearing that Felix would not return to Russia. But he promised to come by all means.

And indeed, after studying for three years, he returned to his homeland. However, even during the holidays I was constantly in Russia: a schedule of three academic months and three weeks of vacation, plus in the summer just three months of vacation gave me plenty of rest.

The three years spent in England were the happiest time of my youth. With sadness in my heart I left England, leaving behind so many friends. “I felt that a certain stage of life had been completed,” he wrote later.

Meeting Rasputin

At the end of 1909, I first met Rasputin,” writes Yusupov.

Even though I didn’t really know anything about him, I already had a presentiment of a scam. He approached me and said: “Hello, darling.” And he reached out as if to kiss him. I involuntarily recoiled. Rasputin smiled evilly and swam up to his mother, without any hesitation, pressed them to his chest and kissed them with the air of a father and benefactor, he writes in his memoirs.

Felix noted that Rasputin seemed to be afraid of each interlocutor, trying to study him as quickly as possible. He dressed in trousers and a shirt. The unkempt beard added some mystery to this “old man,” who by that time was about 40 years old. He had a huge scar on his face, which, as it later became known, he received in Siberia, where he was from.

Then he sat down next to me and looked at me searchingly. A conversation began between us. He spoke quickly, like a prophet illuminated from above. Every word was a quotation from the Gospel, but Rasputin misinterpreted the meaning, and therefore it became completely incomprehensible,” Felix says about the acquaintance.

Yusupov admitted that Rasputin made an indelible impression on him, but did not specify which one.

Engagement

In 1912, Felix finally returned to Russia. The young man is 25 years old, it’s time to get married.

Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov once came to my mother to discuss the proposed marriage between his daughter Irina and me. I was happy, because this answered my secret aspirations. I could not forget the young stranger I met while walking on the Crimean road. From that day I knew that this was my destiny,” Yusupov recalled.

Felix recalled how they began to communicate, that he was captivated by her straightforwardness. They talked a lot and walked. One day, when the engagement had not even been set yet, Irina’s second cousin came to the Yusupovs and told Felix that he wanted to marry her. The young people gave Irina the right to decide, and she declared that she would only marry Felix.

Finally, the wedding day was set: February 22, 1914 in St. Petersburg with the Dowager Empress in the chapel of the Anichkov Palace. For our future arrangement, my parents vacated the mezzanine on the left side of the house on the Moika.

Even the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II prepared a gift for the wedding. He asked Yusupov what kind of present would make him happy.

He wanted to offer me a position at court, but I replied that the best wedding gift from His Majesty would be to allow me to sit in the theater in the imperial box. When my answer was conveyed to the sovereign, he laughed and agreed,” recalls Yusupov.

The wedding was celebrated on a grand scale. The bride wears a chic white satin dress with silver embroidery and a long train. On her head is a tiara with diamonds and a lace veil. The groom was in a formal suit with a long jacket.

“I was stuck in an old, shaky elevator halfway to the chapel, and the imperial family, led by the emperor himself, unanimously rescued me from trouble,” Felix recalls.

After the celebrations, they went on a honeymoon through Paris, a number of Egyptian cities, Jerusalem, and London. Soon after their return, in March 1915, their daughter was born.

Rasputinshchina

Yusupov literally hated Rasputin. Felix was irritated by everything about the “old man” - from his cunning, with the help of which he won over both Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and her maid of honor Anna Vyrubova, as well as a good half of the imperial court, to his orgies, where Rasputin was allegedly delivered under the cover of darkness.

The “elder” seemed holy only from a distance. The cab drivers who took him and the girls to the baths, the waiters who served him at night orgies, the spies who followed him, knew the value of his “holiness.” This was, of course, to the benefit of the revolutionaries,” Yusupov expressed his opinion.

Rasputin met the Empress in 1906, when he was introduced by the Empress's personal confessor, Archimandrite Feofan. For five years he was close to the court. However, the name of Rasputin became associated in St. Petersburg, first of all, with occultists and warlocks.

The scandalous behavior of the "elder", his behind-the-scenes influence on state affairs, the unbridledness of his morals, finally outraged far-sighted people. The press, regardless of censorship, has already taken up the matter,” said Yusupov.

In 1911, he disappeared for a year - he said that he went on foot to Jerusalem. Soon after his return, in 1912, a case of Khlysty (belonging to the Khlysty sect) began to be investigated against Rasputin. But the case was closed, as they wrote, at the instigation of the empress.

Yusupov was sure that Rasputin was interfering with Russia in principle and the imperial couple in particular. Therefore, since the 1910s, I have been thinking about how to exterminate it. The last straw came when even the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod, Alexander Samarin, asked to remove Rasputin from the court; a month later he returned.

Duma Chairman Mikhail Rodzianko supported Yusupov. He said that Rasputin only needs to be killed, since it won’t even be possible to move him away from the court - he has his own people everywhere.

Oddly enough, Rasputin himself had been looking for a meeting with Felix since the spring-summer of 1916. He said that he wanted to renew acquaintance. What follows is recorded only in Yusupov’s memoirs, therefore, whether one can trust a person who writes about someone he hates will be left to the readers. Allegedly, he promised to disperse the Duma and spoke of the Tsar, “He should be sniffing flowers, not ruling the state.”

Murder

It was the massacre of Rasputin that Felix Yusupov was remembered in Russian history. This happened on the night of December 17, 1916 (old style). Since they communicated, Rasputin did not have any concerns about Yusupov’s offer to visit the gypsies and generally “have fun.” But first, we decided to drink tea with eclairs, and then wine at the Yusupovs’ home.

In fact, there was poison in the cakes intended for the old man. And in the next room, Lieutenant Sukhotin, Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, Purishkevich and Doctor Lazovert were waiting for the results of his actions.

However, the poison...did not work (later it turned out that it was neutralized due to the sweet). Then Yusupov decided to shoot the hated old man.

I realized that the decisive moment had come. "God help me!" - I said mentally. Rasputin still stood in front of me, motionless, hunched over, his eyes fixed on the crucifix. I slowly raised the revolver. “Where should I aim,” I thought, “at the temple or at the heart?” A trembling shook me all over. The hand tensed. I aimed for the heart and pulled the trigger. Rasputin screamed and collapsed on the bearskin, Yusupov wrote.

However, apparently he was simply wounded. Soon Rasputin backed towards Felix, repeating his name. While the shocked Yusupov ran for help, the elder tried to run away from the house on the Moika. But how far can a wounded person go? They caught up with him not far from the gate and shot him.

Anticipating that interrogations and searches would begin tomorrow, if not worse, and that I would need strength, I lay down and fell asleep, Yusupov recalled that day.

In one of the last interviews in his life, he admits that he never regretted his own actions.

Already in the morning, the police chief was at Yusupov’s house. The fact is that the shots on the Moika and the disappearance of the Tsar’s favorite “coincided”. At first he denied everything, but the clouds were gathering. By evening, he, like all the participants in the murder, was forbidden to leave St. Petersburg. Two weeks later they were announced under house arrest.

The Empress demanded that the conspirators be shot, and perhaps this would have been done. But among the conspirators was a relative of Nicholas II, Grand Duke Dmitry Romanov. As a result, the brutal murder and conspiracy ended for Yusupov and everyone else...in exile. Felix, in particular, went to his parents’ estate in Rakitnoye (modern Belgorod region).

He witnessed the February Revolution and the abdication of Nicholas II from the throne while in exile. He received all the news from newspapers and from relatives. Within two weeks after Emperor Yusupov's abdication, he was released and went to the capital.

Life in St. Petersburg became more and more unbearable. Everyone was raving about the revolution, even wealthy people, even those who considered themselves conservatives,” he wrote.

Then it was decided to flee first from St. Petersburg, and then from Russia. However, by the end of the spring of 1917, many representatives of the nobility fled to Crimea. Shortly before the overthrow of the provisional government, Yusupov went to the family estates to buy jewelry. Some have been found, some have already been taken away. With diamonds, a portrait of Alexander III (at the request of the emperor's widow) and other valuables, he returned to Crimea and announced to his wife Irina his decision to flee Russia. However, the hope that it might be possible to do without this remained, so they decided to postpone migration, returning to this issue only after the news of the murder of Nicholas II’s family in the summer of 1918. Soon Yusupov’s father-in-law left Russia, but despite all the persuasion, he was in no hurry. He also refused to be transported on a ship that came from England for “Russian prisoners.” The full realization that this was the end came only in the spring of 1919, when the Reds approached the Crimea.

On the morning of April 7, 1919, the commander of the British naval forces in Sevastopol appeared to the mother of Nicholas II, Maria Feodorovna, who was in Crimea. King George V, due to the prevailing circumstances, considering the empress's departure necessary and urgent, placed the battleship Marlborough at her disposal. At first she resolutely refused, but she was convinced of the need to leave. However, Maria Feodorovna stated that she would not go until everyone whose lives were dear to her had been evacuated. Of course, the Yusupovs were among this number.

The ship brought all the migrants to Malta. From there the Yusupovs moved to London, and later to Paris. It was here that they decided to stay for permanent residence, selling some of the jewelry and two Rembrandt paintings. With this money we bought a house in the vicinity of the French capital and started business.

In the 1920s, the Yusupovs would open the Irfé fashion house, but it would not bring much income. The family budget was replenished due to a lawsuit won in England for 25 thousand pounds. The fact is that thanks to the MGM studio, a film about the alleged empress, Rasputin’s mistress, was released. It was proven in court that this was libel.

During World War II, they were offered to join the Nazis and return to Russia. But Felix avoided both sides.

They lived in Paris all their lives: the valuables they exported, the money they won on ships, and the proceeds from Felix Yusupov’s memoirs were quite enough for a comfortable old age. He died in September 1967 in Paris.

His daughter Irina, married to Countess Sheremeteva, lived between Athens and Paris. She died in Paris in 1983. The granddaughter lives in Athens.

The Yusupovs are one of the richest aristocratic families of the Russian Empire. It was rumored that the Yusupovs were richer than the Romanovs. In the second half of the 19th century, all these riches were concentrated in the hands of a secular beauty, goddaughter of all fairies, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, Countess Sumarokova-Elston. After the death of her younger sister Tatyana, she remained the only heiress and one of the most enviable brides in Europe.

Zinaida's father wanted to see his daughters as wives of European monarchs, but the youngest, Tatyana, died of typhus (although there is a possibility that she committed suicide because of unrequited love for Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich), and the eldest, Zinaida, was in love with officer Felix Sumarokov -Elston. Empress Maria Alexandrovna dreamed of marrying Zinaida her nephew, King of Bulgaria, Alexander of Battenberg, but the rich heiress chose love over the Bulgarian crown.

She didn’t marry the prince herself, but Zinaida Nikolaevna wanted to see princesses as daughters-in-law. The eldest son of the Yusupov-Sumarokov-Elston couple, Nikolai, died in a duel. Everyone then remembered the curse of the family, according to which only one heir could live more than 26 years. After the death of Nikolai, all wealth was concentrated in the hands of Felix Yusupov Jr. Now he has become one of the most eligible bachelors in Europe.

Louise of Battenberg

As soon as Felix arrived to study at Oxford, he met the family of Victoria of Battenberg. Her daughter Louise liked the handsome Russian prince, and Louise’s aunts, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, also really wanted the princess’s marriage to the Yusupovs. Felix was socially courteous with Princess Louise, but she did not attract him at all as a lover. Desperate in unsuccessful attempts to arrange the princess’s marriage, her relatives began to spread rumors about an alleged engagement, but the trick failed; the Yusupovs stubbornly denied these rumors. It was at this moment that Empress Alexandra Feodorovna harbored a chill in her heart towards the Yusupovs. Her sister, Elizaveta Fedorovna, on the contrary, did not hold any grudges; she maintained her friendship with Zinaida Nikolaevna and treated Felix with maternal love.

Another young lady who was considered a bride for Felix Yusupov was Anastasia (Zia) de Torby, the daughter of Grand Duke Mikhail Mikhailovich, who settled with his morganatic family in London. Felix was friendly with the Grand Duke's family, but was never in love with Anastasia; he even admitted that her younger sister, Nada, was much more beautiful. However, Felix was not in love with Nada either. Interestingly, Zia Thorby would later marry the brother of her rival, Louise of Battenberg.

Zoya Stekl

Zoe Stekl, Nada and Zia de Torby

The only young lady in London who was able to win the heart of Prince Yusupov was the English aristocrat Marjorie Manners. “I was very friendly with my daughters, especially with Marjorie and Diana. One is a brunette, the other is a blonde, both are beautiful, smart and great inventors. One is better than the other. I liked both.” Felix was being disingenuous; of course, he liked Marjorie better. He even sent a photo of her to his mother and wrote admiringly: “How did you like Marjorie’s head, it’s actually much better. She has such a lovely expression. She promised to give me the last photographs that I will send you. I really like her, so smart, pretty, talented and amazingly kind.”

Marjorie Manners

Felix was ready to propose, but suddenly Charles Paget, Marquess of Angels, returned to London, who earlier, in the spring of 1911, instead of marrying Margery in love, went on a long cruise, leaving her alone. At this very time, the friendship of Felix and Marjorie gradually grew into love, and, as her sister wrote, she “prayed that Margery would marry Felix,” even buying her “Hugo’s Russian Grammar.” But completely unexpectedly for everyone, the traveler returned to London and immediately proposed to Margery. In August 1912 they got married.

Zinaida Nikolaevna also spoke out very sharply against such a marriage - she had already looked for a bride in Russia for her son. It was Princess Irina Romanova.

If Felix was an enviable groom, then Irina Romanova was considered one of the most enviable brides in Europe. The Emperor's niece and favorite granddaughter of the Dowager Empress Maria was endowed with classic Romanov beauty. The Dowager Empress dreamed of seeing her as the wife of the Prince of Wales (and then the history of Great Britain could have turned out differently), and the hand of Irina, whom Igor Severyanin described as the most beautiful and saddest of the living, was sought by the joker Prince Christopher of Greece (by the way, he also managed to woo Louise Battenberg). Two brothers were in love with her at once - Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich and Prince Vladimir Paley. Dmitry Pavlovich took the engagement of Irina and Felix especially hard, and Vladimir Paley dedicated beautiful, touching poems to her.

But Irina preferred Felix Yusupov to all these young people. Their wedding was the last pre-war celebration of the imperial family.

Materials from E. Krasnykh’s book “Thank You for Everything” were used.