Antique Imperial Russian Signed Letter Grand Duchess Olga Romanov Gatchina

"Well, good morning, my dear Siocha!

For two days now I have written so much and have had the envelope ready, but I cannot find the time to talk to you…

We miss you very much. The children speak about you and love you—I was quite certain that they would, and had predicted that they would love you!

No, that doctor has still not come, and I am already beginning to doubt whether he ever will.

This week is rather hard: going backwards and forwards to church twice every day; a walk from six until seven in the morning; and then a great deal of writing to do—Easter presents. Then there is that very kind Sister Maslenikoff, who comes to us every day. You understand that when somebody is in the house, one cannot write or do many of the things one otherwise might.

Rygaard is becoming fuller and increasingly attractive. We were there this morning. At last the man who was searching for water has completed his work: the water is there, and the man has gone away with all his machinery. So that is one task completed.

The upstairs rooms are drying out and should be habitable in two or three days. The heating is on and it no longer smells.

The dear little “parrot,” greatly excited, runs from one end of the garden to the other and continues talking inexhaustibly: “I salute you!” The two larger [birds—word unclear] are very large too. There are also newborn pigeons in the sitting room…

We went to Fredensborg and brought back some things from Papa’s little villa to Rygaard. We have put them in my husband’s study. That is where we shall sleep for the present.

[The Easter observance] will be this coming Saturday morning. You will be able to think about and imagine all of it—provided it does not rain!

They write from Berlin that it is warm there. It is not at all warm here yet—just as it was during your visit.

Tikhon reads aloud to Guri while Guri draws. He does it exactly like the soldier, to entertain us, and afterwards [Guri draws] a few flowers from nature. Not at all bad…

Yesterday Tikhon said to us:

“When shall we begin our lessons again? I have had enough of holidays!”

How do you like that? I have never met children like mine—they are always full of surprises!

Thank you, dear Siocha, for your dear letter after your return. I am delighted to know that you were not tired. How I hate travelling!

Mr Arcadie has returned from Berlin. Something dreadful happened there on the first of May. Here everything was peaceful, although the workmen—apart from ours—did not work at Rygaard.

How happy I shall be when we have finished our move! What joy it will be finally to see the trees in leaf and to settle in. That beautiful little corner is filled with memories of former days—it is so pretty and reminds me of Gatchina!

Today is Good Friday. The service begins at two o’clock, and then there is another in the evening at six. I shall remain in town so that I may visit several sick people between the two services.

Having made twenty-five cards—each painted with a spring flower—I am now resting from that work. I have so many little things to distribute: flowers for one person, something for another, and so forth. There is never enough time to do everything.

Madame Möller [is making or embroidering something—possibly a Russian sarafan] in her villa, and their chauffeur has beaten their [carpets]. Then tomorrow there is our house—the windows are to be attended to!

She and her husband are charming. I have also given her a charming little tea table to thank her for all her kindness. Unfortunately, we may never again be as comfortable as we have been here, in the little house which she placed at our disposal.

Dear Siocha, I am writing abominably badly this morning—I cannot find my pen. I embrace you. I never cease thinking about you, and I imagine the joy of seeing you here again at Rygaard next year.

May God protect you.

Yours with all my heart,

Olga

Our ladies were touched by your beautiful farewells. Everyone in the house sends greetings and embraces you."