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Updated: June 11, 2025
For five years husband and wife saw little of each other; and when, in 1694, Nathalie's death removed the one influence which gave the union at least the outward form of substance, Peter lost no time in exhibiting his true colours. He dismissed all Eudoxia's relatives from the Court, and sent her father into exile.
Eudoxia's heart went forth to her; the words of reproof died on her lips, and for the first time she felt as though the orphaned child were her own; as though their joy and grief were one; as though she, who all her life long had thought only of herself and her own advantage, and who had regarded her care of Mary as a mere return in kind for a salary and home, were ready and willing to sacrifice herself and her last coin for this child.
This morning the young man had not had time to enquire for Mary, and Eudoxia's report that she seemed even more excited than on the day before disturbed him so greatly, that he rose from table, in spite of Eudoxia's protest, without waiting till the end of the meal, to visit the little invalid. It was with genuine anxiety that he mounted the stairs.
The evidence of the nuns and servants alone evidence of frequent and long meetings by day and night, of embraces exchanged was sufficiently conclusive, without the incriminating letters which were discovered in the Major's bureau, labelled "Letters from the Tsarina," or Eudoxia's confession which was extorted from her. This was an opportunity of vengeance such as exceeded all the Tsar's hopes.
But he said no more, for the bedroom door was suddenly thrown open and Eudoxia's high, thin voice was heard saying: "But why make any fuss? Mary will be enchanted! Here, Child, here is your long-lost friend! Such a surprise!" And the water-wagtail, pushed forward by no gentle hand, appeared within the doorway.
This morning the young man had not had time to enquire for Mary, and Eudoxia's report that she seemed even more excited than on the day before disturbed him so greatly, that he rose from table, in spite of Eudoxia's protest, without waiting till the end of the meal, to visit the little invalid. It was with genuine anxiety that he mounted the stairs.
This gave the child courage; with tragical dignity, which brought a smile to the governess' lips, she took Eudoxia's bible from the desk, and said, fixing her beseeching gaze on the Greek's face: "Swear! nay, you must be quite grave, for nothing can be more solemn swear not to tell a soul, not even Mother Joanna, what I want to confess to you." Eudoxia promised, but she would take no oath.
This gave the child courage; with tragical dignity, which brought a smile to the governess' lips, she took Eudoxia's bible from the desk, and said, fixing her beseeching gaze on the Greek's face: "Swear! nay, you must be quite grave, for nothing can be more solemn swear not to tell a soul, not even Mother Joanna, what I want to confess to you." Eudoxia promised, but she would take no oath.
This gave the child courage; with tragical dignity, which brought a smile to the governess' lips, she took Eudoxia's bible from the desk, and said, fixing her beseeching gaze on the Greek's face: "Swear! nay, you must be quite grave, for nothing can be more solemn swear not to tell a soul, not even Mother Joanna, what I want to confess to you." Eudoxia promised, but she would take no oath.
So, when the little girl now threw her arms round Eudoxia's neck, imploring her not to betray her, but, on the contrary, to help her in the good work which aimed at nothing less than the rescue of Paula and Orion-the imperilled victims of Fate, her dry eyes sparkled through tears; she kissed Mary's burning cheeks once more and called her her own dear, dear little daughter.
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