March 1913. Petersburg.

1. The story is told from the perspective of Felix Yusupov

All autumn and winter, the Grand Duke followed me as if sewn. At first I was triumphant and congratulated myself on this victory. Frankly, I was flattered by his affection for me, his passion and ingenuity. I, for my part, taught Dmitry some things necessary for our brother - how to observe precautions, how to correctly answer the tricky questions of relatives and friends.

Tsarskoye Selo did not like our friendship. But that didn't bother us. We just laughed, once again noticing the lieutenant, who, by order of the queen, was assigned to keep an eye on us and Dmitry. It was even funny - to take the groom away from the king's daughter. But Dmitry himself behaved in such a way that it sometimes became unbearable. God knows I paid more attention to him than to any of my other friends. Even more than Jerry or King Manuel at Oxford. But in England, away from my family, I was able to lead a much freer and more carefree life than in St. Petersburg. But my Grand Duke was not enough. He did not want to hide, did not want to stay in the background and be content with cautious occasional meetings. He wanted to get me all in his undivided property.

Mitenka, why are you ruining everything? I sighed one afternoon, stroking his hair. We sat (or rather lay) in my room.

What spoil?

He listens, but does not hear. Curled up, put his head in my lap. Unless it's wrapped around. So it clings to the caressing hand. Well, what to do with him?

Don't follow me, don't follow me. It annoys me. I can't sit next to you and hold your hand all the time. “Damn, how difficult it is to chew on seemingly obvious things. “I need space, you know?

Again he doesn't understand. He looks with anguish in his green mermaid eyes. Look, he will start asking, like a Turgenev young lady, if I love him. I could no longer bear this.

Okay, I give up. Let's try from the beginning. You complain that I don't spend all my evenings with you. I don't say where I am. But I'm only doing this for you! I suppose some of my leisure activities would not be to your liking, but I need them. That's how I'm made. And you should thank me for being so concerned about your peace of mind. But if you really want to... Will you go to a restaurant with me? No, not to Rode. You yourself will see everything. Don't say later that I didn't warn you.

My dear, - out of everything said, Dmitry, delighted, seemed to prefer to hear only one thing. And not at all what it should have been. “After everything we've done in the past few months, I'm not likely to be embarrassed by anything.

2. The narration is conducted on behalf of Dmitry

With the proud name of “restaurant,” Felix named an institution of an indefinite kind already familiar to me, from where I had taken Felix away from the police a few months ago. But this time, nothing reminded of the recent raid - and the inconspicuous door hospitably opened to meet the Grand Duke and his companion.

Dressed in a dress embroidered with glass beads, jewelry, a resin wig and a light veil, Prince Yusupov turned into a charming young lady. Tall, flat and thin, but beaming with the most charming smiles.

Instead of quietly occupying a separate office, as I had hoped, Felix chose a table in the center of the semi-dark, dark and stuffy hall, closer to the gypsy orchestra. My timid attempts to exhort him to caution and prudence were ignored. I sat neither alive nor dead, repeating a prayer to myself over and over again: “Lord, if only no one would recognize us, please…”. All around were well-dressed civilians and a few young officers. Many kept a low profile, apparently keeping incognito. Which is not surprising, because they were either brightly painted girls or pale, mannered students. The latter, as I noted with embarrassment, were more than ladies. And if the gentlemen leaned on booze, then their companions greedily devoured dinner. I turned away. It seemed to me that the eyes of all those present were fixed on us. However, recalling this evening in the following days, I came to the conclusion that the neighbors did not care about us, and they looked at the gypsies.

Yusupov, it seemed, felt himself in this sewer like a fish in water. He laughed out loud, crossed his legs and fidgeted in his chair like a schoolgirl. He drank bad champagne in one gulp, and every now and then shot his antimony-lined eyes somewhere into the depths of the hall, which was drowning in gray tobacco smoke.

I had to bring a match to his cigarette in a long amber holder. I also had to call him "Ida".

I think I already told you ... Or didn't I? My mother longed for a daughter, and I was born. For the first five or six years she took solace in dressing me as a girl. But as a respectful son, I try to respect the will of the parent.

And Felix laughed loudly again, throwing his head back, which made all his necklaces, bracelets and earrings worth the size of a small estate tremble and crumble like diamond sparks. He enjoyed the quiet ringing and rattling of jewels. The barefoot gypsy dancing on the stage seemed to ring out cheerfully with cheap monists, and for some reason I remembered that a fair amount of Tatar blood was flowing in the veins of my companion. “How long has the Yusupovs been non-Christian Mohammedans, such inhuman habits, shamanistic…”, I thought involuntarily, but was immediately ashamed of the blasphemous thought. Felix's family could not be blamed for disrespect for the church or non-observance of the prescribed rites. At least outwardly.

Tensed to the limit, I kept waiting for trouble to happen. Felix teased me venomously and advised me to relax, but he could not feel at ease in this brothel. I, a relative of the Sovereign, poured tea for the queen in the morning and habitually kissed my four most august cousins ​​- so pure and immaculate ... Lord, why am I now sitting here, in a dirty tavern, next to a man dressed in a woman's dress? How strange it all is.

Immersed in my confused thoughts, I did not notice when a very tipsy officer staggered up to our table. Did he come on his own initiative, attracted by the playful laughter of the “lady”, or was he called? At the first moment, I was completely dead. Blood rushed to his head and pounded in his temples. Learned! But no ... However, the next discovery struck me almost more than the initial suspicion. The newcomer did not recognize either Grand Duke Romanov or Prince Yusupov. He twirled his mustache, grinned and carnivorously examined the coquettishly blushing “I go”.

It was already too much. The accumulated tension at once melted into anger in half with desperate suspicions. I had no idea that it was possible in a single moment to acquire such hatred for a complete stranger. This must have been reflected in my gaze, as the mustachioed alien only stood near us for a while, but then immediately drooped and stepped away.

Yusupov, with bated breath, watched the pantomime unfolding in front of him with visible pleasure:

And if our friend still began to pester poor Ida, what would you do? he asked a minute later. Would you challenge him to a duel?

Felix's eyes gleamed with excitement, and thin, scarlet-lined lips parted. He was trembling with excitement. Never before have I seen him like this. So sensual and so desirable.

Yes. And then I shoot myself.

Come on, Mitya. I was joking, I hate duels. Felix shook his folded fan coquettishly. But I want to ask you something else. You promised that if I take you with me today, you will do everything as I say. Promise?

Anything. If this does not affect the officer's honor, prudence stirred weakly. What I wanted most was to get out of here. And most importantly, get Felix out of here. Away from all these cheeky gentlemen, among whom I felt like a stranger. Unlike my Ida. I vaguely felt that the rules of a certain game were being played here, which they had not bothered to explain to me. There is nothing more unpleasant than following the course of a tense and reckless game without understanding its essence.

I want you to sit here and wait for me. I soon. Otherwise, we will never see each other again,” Felix said sternly, but the corners of his lips twitched with suppressed laughter. “You know I can't stand the ugly scenes of jealousy, for which your highness, as it turns out, is a great master.

It is always extremely educational to look into the eyes of a man whose face shows all the movements of his soul, thought Felix. Poor Dimitri is one of them. Hardened cheekbones, lips tightened ... Will there be an explosion or not? Yusupov held his breath. The regal posture of an offended prince ... But he is the grandson of the emperor. It’s a pity if it fails - punishing for breaking a promise is not as interesting as keeping it in good shape. But no, the threat was dosed correctly – green eyes had just been throwing thunder and lightning, but… the Grand Duke had already lowered his head, hunched his shoulders, there was dull anguish in his eyes… For a moment Felix felt a pang of pity. You can also turn everything into a joke, kiss, imperceptibly for strangers, squeeze your knee under the table just above the boot, offer to immediately leave here. Even these little things are enough for Dmitry to immediately forgive all insults, and then for a long time and fervently express his love ...

Wait for me here, I'll be back soon.

Yes ... - the Grand Duke completely wilted, so before invitingly waving his hand to the old mustachioed officer, Felix had to be generous with an encouraging brotherly kiss on the temple.

Dimitri followed the couple with a desperate look. His temples were pounding from humiliation and his own impotence. Feeling neither the taste nor the hops, he swallowed the remaining champagne glass by glass. A gypsy woman sang on stage:

But tomorrow with the first rays
They will go off into the distance.
And my song behind the carts
Then it will cause sadness in him,

How much time has passed, a few minutes, a quarter of an hour? Felix and the stranger did not return. Without thinking, almost without realizing what he was doing, the Grand Duke got up from his seat. The floor swayed underfoot like the deck of the Shtandart, the music of the dispersed orchestra rumbled wildly, but only the door in the back of the hall where Yusupov had hidden mattered.

On the other side, there was a corridor cluttered with broken chairs and other restaurant utensils, but instinct led the Grand Duke further, to a staircase guessed ahead. Felix he first heard, and only then saw. Muffled sighs and remembrance of the unclean, sniffling, chuckles, some kind of obscure fuss.

Disheveled, with his trousers down, Mustachioed leaned against the wall, and Prince Yusupov, in a lopsided wig, knelt before him, rhythmically jingling his earrings and allowing himself to be grabbed by the shoulders and the back of the head.

For several moments, Dmitry silently looked at the spectacle that opened up to him, being unable to comprehend the reality of what was happening. A lump rolled up in my throat.

God, Felix, what are you doing? the Grand Duke muttered in a broken voice. Stupid, pathetic question, the last attempt to hear a rational, all-explaining justification.

And Felix seemed to be just waiting for this. Looking up from his shameful occupation, he quickly turned around - without a hint of embarrassment, fear or challenge. While Mustachioed was hurriedly pulling up his pants, cursing, Dimitri and Felix looked at each other attentively. It seemed to Dmitry that he was waiting for something - Yusupov's eyes shone so tenderly, the mother's necklace on his chest heaved so heavily. Time slowed down its run, lingering for a few heartbeats. But then boredom and disappointment flickered across Felix's face. The moment was lost.

I told you to wait for me. Please go away!

The first reason for alarm, a premonition of deceit and near grief was provided by an incident in the Medved. He and Felix were already finishing dinner, when suddenly a stranger in the uniform of the Cossack army did not come up to their table. A swarthy, handsome man, he behaved impossibly strange. Paying no attention to Dmitry, the stranger stared at Yusupov with wet black eyes. And he burst into confused emotional speech. From the words of the stranger it followed that Mr. Yusupov reminded him of some beautiful lady. Not being able to see that beauty again, he prays for the great mercy to somehow take a walk in the company of Prince Felix ... For example, tomorrow.

Feeling the scandal in his gut, Dmitry became alert, but still did not find a reason to intervene. These are just strange, insane speeches of some warrior who has gone through. Moreover, Yusupov listened to the stone-faced Cossack, expressing with all his appearance that only his upbringing did not allow him to respond with harshness to such an unceremonious interference in the private conversation of friends eating.

Finally, not having received consent to a meeting, the agitated stranger still went home. But Felix was still grim. It seemed that this little incident pretty unsettled him.

Who was that? Dimitri shook his head with a chuckle and started eating dessert. - Well, it had to be so drunk. I kept waiting for this brave Cossack to turn to me, mistaking the great Catherine for my great-great-grandmother.

But instead of returning the joke, Felix frowned even more.
- Do not pay attention. This is my mother's admirer, - he spoke quickly, without looking up and fiddling with a napkin in his hands. “One day he came straight to our house with a huge bouquet of roses, but she drove him away.

Your mother's admirer? Dmitry was genuinely surprised. - And what are you doing here? ..
But Yusupov did not want to talk more on this topic:

Forget. Felix tossed the napkin away in annoyance. – And let's go somewhere else, I'm tired of being here.

And Dmitry really forgot, did not attach much importance to this curious episode. But very little time passed, and all such cases began to take shape in a single picture, which deeply shocked the Grand Duke. Felix's strange acquaintances, his sudden disappearances for several days, after which he returned to the Grand Duke tormented, nervously tense, but contented, affectionate and supple. Dmitry preferred to find logical, reasonable, highly convincing explanations for all this.

An anonymous letter delivered directly to the Alexander Palace. In correct, kind terms, the Grand Duke was informed of a lot of information about Yusupov. Delicate revelations were accompanied by a neat list of facts - names, addresses, dates ... The handwriting was probably changed, but the style remained vaguely familiar. It seemed to Dmitry that, if he so desired, he could easily identify the author of these lines. But is the stupid slander of an ill-wisher worthy of attention?

Carelessly thrusting a crumpled anonymous letter into his pocket, the Grand Duke, with the condescending sympathy of a happy lover, remembered the Cossack from The Bear. “Before my eyes, an abandoned lover, or perhaps an accidental victim of Yusupov’s charms, begged for a date,” he thought, “but I didn’t even understand what was happening.” He did not find in his soul hatred and anger towards the opponent, because Felix was with him. On the contrary, he felt a kind of bitter sympathy and understanding for the unfortunate rival. I wonder if there are many of them? .. He, the Grand Duke, will never have to endure humiliation. Chase, begging for some love!

Gasping with despair and humiliation, the shocked Grand Duke rushed headlong down the corridor. Stumbling over broken chairs, almost falling. Felix was still yelling after him, but it didn't matter anymore. If only to quickly shake off the sticky nightmare of broken illusions. Everything was like in a dream - later the Grand Duke could not remember how he flew away from the tavern, got into the car and by some miracle drove home. He did not crush any of the pedestrians, he did not move off the embankment into the canal. It was as if there was no road. Probably the truth is that the Lord protects the drunk and the lovers. And Dmitry was drunk with the poisoned wine of dying love.

Silence and emptiness settled in my chest. Thoughts tossed and turned in my head like alien, unnecessary things forgotten by someone. The simplest and most primitive thoughts that it is necessary to arrange for the repair of the roof, invite an appraiser, and still be at the Empress's sacred tea party at five sharp tomorrow - all caused suffering. How stupid, unnecessary and petty all this is!

He sacrificed everything and for what? Love is forbidden, insane, doomed in advance to hide forever in shame in the corners. Dooming to be in the eyes of society a leper and an outcast. But still it was love, and he did not know the other. How can they call ancient love fake? Shameful youthful whim, from which it is necessary to recover as from a bad disease? But now that love was dying. What an unthinkable insult - to betray the Grand Duke!

How could Felix be so cruel? He was killing, he had already killed him, but he did not even notice it. And no one noticed. The Grand Duke with difficulty emerged for a minute from the terrible half-forgetfulness in which he had been from the moment he caught that ugly scene. Late passers-by glided around as usual, the janitor scraping the pavement with a broom, a flock of female students on the Anichkov Bridge, giggling shamefacedly, looked at the naked tamers and their bronze horses.

Surprisingly, the thought moved sluggishly, why does none of these people see that a dead man is sitting in a fashionable Belgian motor parked near the Sergius Palace? Which still breathes, thinks and can move. But he doesn't feel anything anymore.

The gaping hole in his chest was almost palpable. When the first shock, which mercifully dulled all the senses, had passed, somewhere in the region of the solar plexuses a lump of deaf, throbbing pain settled. Dmitry did not have the strength to think in complex structures, but he simply knew that soon this pain would swallow him whole, destroying the mangled fragments of everything that an hour ago was his life, love, dreams, some stupid and empty hopes.

When (really just a few months, even weeks ago?) He agreed to surrender to the love offered by Felix, a wise heart immediately whispered a warning “No!”, Predicting a similar end. Hot as the sun, generous, but indifferent and ruthless, Yusupov's love burned him to the ground. And then they threw it away like a boring toy, finding new entertainment for themselves. He should not have messed with Felix, they were too different from the very beginning ...

Those who say that non-healing wounds are inflicted by enemies are lying. The enemy can cause trouble, can offend, slander, take away everything. But the enemy will never be able to strike with such awesome accuracy and ruthlessness as the hand of a former friend or lover will do.

Dmitry knew many people for whom another rejected love became just an unfortunate misunderstanding, not even worth a spoiled appetite at dinner. But for himself in those moments he no longer saw any future and meaning. Nothing happened the moment he made sure Felix, his Felix, had abandoned him.

Dmitry Pavlovich!

The young man shuddered and focused his gaze on the wicked intruder during his mournful thoughts. It turned out that General Leiming was persistently pounding on the window of the car. The old teacher was in a home suit, it looked like he was torn off the dinner table.

What?

This is what I want to ask you. - As a former mentor, the old general allowed himself a patronizing tone, although sincere anxiety was evident in his voice. - We are sitting with my wife in the living room, drinking tea - I hear you have arrived. A quarter of an hour later, Maria Pavlovna comes in and asks where you are. I say - already fifteen minutes at home. And she is surprised and replies that you are not there. I am to the window - and you are sitting in the car ...

Nothing. Just thought. - Uncle Laming. How inopportune. The Grand Duke showed an ingenuous absent-mindedness on his face. - Go inside the house, you will catch a cold standing in this form on the street.

But the general did not leave, but stomped around while the young owner handed over the motor to the care of a garage worker. I suspected something wrong...

The second mistake was meeting with my sister. Marisha, who amiably ran down the stairs to meet him, suddenly stopped dead in her tracks and clasped her hands.

Lord, what happened? You don't have a face! Someone…something with dad? You are drunk?

Everything is fine. Sorry. Tired a little. I need to be alone, write some letters. – It is much easier to speak in short sentences. It even seems to be connected.

Dmitry quickly kissed his sister on the temple and, on the move, dropping his overcoat into the hands of a footman, cravenly retreated to his rooms, away from the imminent caring questions.

However, the sister grabbed the tick. She followed. Persistently looked into the face, something asked. The young woman's eyes flashed with fear and anxiety. Dimitri sighed. It is difficult to lie to a woman who knows you from birth, reads every gesture and look. Knows every movement of the eyebrows, every intonation, every turn of the head. What a pity that there is only one such person in the world, and that this is his own sister ... How Mary still loves him. Didn't notice before, took it for granted. When the heart is bursting with pain and despair, it is hard to focus on any extraneous thoughts that seem so superfluous and insignificant. But the only close person deserves to say goodbye to him.

Already on the threshold of his office, Dmitry kissed his sister again, but did not allow him to follow him in, gently pushed him away.

I've had a rough day, but I still have some things to do. I…” he stammered, not knowing what else to say. But a happy thought popped into my head. “Order that dinner be served later. Or don't wait for me, eat by yourself at the usual time.

The idea seems to have been successful. As she left, her sister looked already so tensely. She only asked me not to linger and to be at dinner at eleven.

And so, finally, he is alone. Until eleven he would not be disturbed, there would be enough time for letters and for once and for all to recover from a broken heart. With a lifetime guarantee. At least until the day of the Last Judgment.

Dmitry sat for half an hour at his desk with an automatic pen in his hands. But only in vain he was exhausted and stained several sheets of expensive English paper with blots. Absolutely nothing befitting the occasion came out from under the pen. Finally, he limited himself to a brief note to the executor: the old will remains in force. Gently dabbing at the still damp lines of the paperweight, he left the note on the table, only casually covering it with some kind of folder from a casual glance. I no longer had the strength and courage to write farewell letters to my relatives. I'm sorry sister, but she's strong, she can handle it. The father has a beloved wife and another son. Felix doesn't care.

Having finished his paperwork with relief, Dmitry looked around the office for the last time. I walked from the window to the wall. He carefully removed from the mantelpiece and awkwardly kissed a small photograph of his mother. From an old-fashioned frame of brown leather, a fragile young woman with small features, like the muzzle of a quiet mouse, looked at him sadly. Now her son is older than she was when she died, giving him life.

Putting the frame back in place, he returned to the table and pulled out one of the drawers, where another photograph was kept between the pages of the notebook-diary. A picture taken only half a year ago in a Parisian atelier, but already pretty captured, crumpled, with a tattered cardboard corner of the passe-partout. So only a card can be worn out, which is often taken out, believed in hands, possibly carried with them in a secret breast pocket. There, closer to the heart. But now Dimitri held the card face down. It was not necessary to look at the image - he already remembered this portrait to the last line.

Sleek, slightly elongated face. A string of thin lips, which seemed about ready either to develop into a sly and mocking smile, or to partly open with shameless languor towards a kiss. Radiant gray eyes under the shadow of long girlish eyelashes looked directly at the viewer, and even on the photograph they retained their disturbing attractive force. But today Dmitry was already out of their power, most cruelly deprived of all illusions and obsessions. He slipped the photo into his pocket.

Dmitry quietly left the office, but his sister immediately peeped out of the room opposite. So she's been on guard all this time.

Still decided to have dinner at the usual time? - in the voice of hope. - I'm going to make arrangements right now...

No, no, it's not worth it. I just forgot something in the car, I'll be right back. I'll be out by eleven, as agreed.

Descending down the front marble staircase, Dmitry stroked the smooth curve of the railing with a farewell caress. On his back, he felt the gaze of Mary standing upstairs, but this is no longer important. Half an hour is enough for him. Without putting on his overcoat, he went out into the courtyard. There, where one of the old stables a couple of years ago was converted into a garage, which now occupied the pride of the Grand Duke - the Belgian Metallurgic motor. Never looking back, the Grand Duke crossed the yard with a calm, even step and entered the garage.

Inside the former stables, a sharp, pungent smell hit his face. A mixture of oil, metal and rubber - the body and spirit of the new inhabitant of the stable, the iron horse. In the stingy electric light of the dusty bulbs, the Belgian gleamed dully with its steep golden-beige side. Like a well-fed and well-groomed thoroughbred horse, the motor is ready to serve the owner at any time.

Dmitry Pavlovich adored horses long before entering the cavalry school, but he fell in love with motors passionately and immediately. The Grand Duke remembered how, at the age of eighteen, he first sat behind the wheel of his first (now hopelessly outdated!) Motor. Then he was still living in Moscow with Aunt Ella, and not without pleasure scared the conservative Muscovites half to death on the streets with this rumbling iron monster. Indeed, unlike the inhabitants of the capital, they rarely saw such a miracle of technology. But the future belongs to the motors, Dmitry believed. And having barely moved to the Sergievsky Palace on Nevsky Prospekt, he ordered his uncle's stable to be converted into a garage. And now the "Belgian" will serve him the last service.

After that everything was very simple. It is enough to lock the door from the inside, make sure that the big gate is also locked. The employees had not yet had time to remove the winter insulation - the cracks were patched up with tow, thick winter frames were inserted into the dormer window. Which is also very handy.

Gently, like a living being, after stroking the round glass headlight that was pointlessly staring into the void, the Grand Duke sat down on the driver's seat and pulled the lever all the way.

The engine hummed obediently and vibrated softly in response. The exhaust pipe coughed, spitting out the first puffs of air burned in the oily piston inside of the engine. The machine does not need to be told twice. Unlike a human, she never gets stubborn or makes a scene.

Dmitry leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes, again gently, gratefully stroking the golden upholstery. All that remained was to wait. And hardly for long. A few minutes later the air in the garage thickened and trembled, began to wriggle as yet weak, but persistent tentacles, greedily reaching out to the obediently waiting man behind the wheel.

Under the monotonous soothing roar of the engine, all sorts of nonsense climbed into my head, in no way corresponding to the responsibility of the moment. Or has the mind already begun to stumble over wisps of insidious, strange-smelling smog? The lines I once heard came to mind:

Ferocious lion, hungry lion,
You are like a dangerous haze
You wander, displeasing to God,
On the disturbed earth.

Come like death, beautiful
Like morning, young
Shake your thick mane
The mane is light gold.

Let me tremble in heavy paws,
Prepare the caress of death
Let me hear the terrible smell
Dark, drunk, like love.

Like smoking, herbs breathe,
Like a bride, I am quiet
I need a bloody look
Golden Bridegroom… *

Before his eyes began to swim and muddle, blood pounded in his temples. Dmitry cautiously inhaled deeply, but immediately bent over in an excruciating attack of dry cough, painfully hit his forehead on the steering wheel. And not immediately able to straighten up again - led to the side. From childhood he was weak in the lungs, the doctors did not even approve of service in the cavalry. No, he thought, perhaps it's not worth rushing things and devoting the last minutes to fussily patting one's pockets in search of a handkerchief. It is quite enough to trust the faithful Metallurgic.

The Grand Duke paused expectantly. Felix, Felix... What have you done to me. Finding a photograph in his pocket, Dmitry brought it to his face for the last time. No longer ashamed - kissed. He realized belatedly that it would be strange and uncomfortable if he was found with a photograph clutched in stiff fingers. It was necessary to burn it, as well as letters ... I also forgot to burn the letters. Thoughts rushed at a lame gallop, getting confused and overtaking one another. In the next moment, Dmitry laughed bitterly, coughing again. Even now he worries about His safety, after all He has done to him. Felix. Cruel, deceitful, fickle. Traitor, dishonest, beloved, desired.

Dmitry saw almost nothing through the thick puffs of burnt gas, the hand with the photograph sank helplessly to his knee. His breath hitched, as if trying to catch up with the madly pulsing blood in his neck and wrists. If we forget about the cough that rips the lungs, death was merciful to Dmitry - the last consolation of the dying was granted a sweet hallucination. From far away, in the last flashes of a floating consciousness, through the pounding in the temples and some incomprehensible noise, a beloved voice came calling him by name:

Dmitry, Dmitry! Open your mother! Dmitry!

Once upon a time, Dmitry had an acquaintance of an old officer who was seriously wounded in the Japanese war and miraculously returned from the brink of death. And he skillfully told the Grand Duke what the moment of transition to a better world was like. It will be a magical corridor woven from heat and light, he said. If your hour has already come, you will be called and you will enter it.

And now, before finally losing consciousness, Dmitry managed to see how the garage doors open. The light of several powerful electric lamps hit him in the face. But most importantly, Felix was running towards him in this artificial glow. With a twisted face, clutching a handkerchief to his mouth ... But still it was him. The Grand Duke smiled blissfully and closed his eyes. With such a companion, it is not a sin to follow the notorious light path...

Dimitri woke up in his own bed. From the wide-open windows from the Fontanka, the damp and cold air of a March night was drawn. Some shadows fussed around and mournfully lamented.

He comes to his senses, glory to the Almighty!

Overcoming lightheadedness, Dimitri focused his eyes with difficulty. The vague spot leaning over him turned into a distorted and ugly face, swollen from tears.

But then she was pushed by someone standing next to her. Dmitry quickly lowered his eyelids, both hoping and not daring to hope. Can't be.

My poor, stupid Dmitry, - a hot whisper was interspersed with quick, persistent, and so promising kisses. The Grand Duke was hot - from too warm a blanket, from a fever, or from the proximity of Felix. Dmitry, who had not fully recovered, missed the moment when Yusupov escorted everyone out the door. But he did not resist and did not say anything, it took too much strength to speak. But Felix didn't need that. “I didn’t know that you would take everything so close to your heart,” Yusupov complained, continuing to cover the haggard face of the failed suicide with kisses.

But you said it yourself, it's over between us. That I should leave.

Ah, what nonsense. But you yourself are to blame. You were just being unbearable. Well, a purely old jealous husband who discovered someone else's comb in the matrimonial bedroom. I'll admit it pissed me off. But ... - Felix insinuatingly pulled the edge of the blanket, no one has yet tried to take their own life because of me. It is so unusual.

Felix breathed the last words directly into the lips of the Grand Duke.

Despite the monstrous weakness that overcomes him, Dmitry almost laughed. Unusual! This is what Felix is ​​all about. It's only the strange, the painful... the unusual that turns him on. From trying on mother's dresses to barely retreating from its prey of death. And now - everything trembles like a stretched string, in the eyes of a naughty, intoxicated, such an infectious madness. Just reach out your hand and the one who a few hours ago with irritation muttered cruel words through his teeth, is now again ready to fall into the palm of his hand like a ripe fruit.

Footsteps and insistent voices were heard outside the door, reminding them that they were not alone. And Dmitry made up his mind.

Then stay with me. Today ... - it was hard to speak, his throat hurt, but Dmitry still uttered these words.

Yusupov seemed to hesitate for a moment. Still, they had never so openly stayed overnight in one room, in a house full of servants, under the noses of relatives. Dimitri looked at his friend expectantly. The unforgiven resentment mingled with the contagious look of Felix excited. The request sounded perhaps too overbearing, but Dmitry was too exhausted to choose words - he only expressed what he wanted most of all.

Okay, now I’ll disperse your servants, Yusupov grumbled. Rising from the edge of the bed, he straightened his coat carefully, smoothed his hair with the palm of his hand, and went out into the corridor. Looking at the streak of electric light streaming from behind the half-closed door, Dmitri heard him announce to the servants:

His highness is already much better, no need to disturb him. I will stay with him, and if something is needed, I will definitely call.

The doctor and Maria rushed to the doorway, but Yusupov blocked the door with his chest. Words of protest were heard, the doctor was especially indignant.

The Grand Duke closed his eyes, trying not to fall into an anxious, painful sleep.

OK it's all over Now.

Felix without undressing, only throwing off his frock coat, quickly darted under the covers. Dmitry was sick, his whole body ached with weakness. Touches of dry hot hands, quick, light kisses did not find a response in the exhausted body. But Felix did not seem to notice this, on the contrary, he had never been so attentive, gentle and patient as a capricious selfish.

Poor Dmitri, - he repeated again and again in a whisper.

7.
- How did you get here yesterday?

Morning had long come into its own, but the two were still embracing in bed. Felix announced that he would never cross the threshold of the room and show himself to no one without changing his crumpled dress. And when the messenger hurriedly went to the Moika for a fresh suit for Yusupov, Dmitry finally set about asking questions.

Your sister phoned me. I just got back myself. Frankly, at the first moment when they called me to the apparatus, I was terribly angry. I thought that you had the stupidity to confess everything and complain to her about me. But she spoke about something else. They say that you came home not yourself, she had never seen her dearly little brother in such a state. - Felix quite similarly portrayed the worried grimace of Mary. The Grand Duke smiled involuntarily. - She said that she was very worried and only therefore she dares to ask me, as a friend of her brother, to come and stay with you. I was terribly dissatisfied, but I could not refuse the lady. I arrived just in time to watch the servants breaking down the garage door. Then they took you here...

Felix stretched languidly and yawned. And Dmitry kept silent about his last yesterday's memories. About the trembling hands desperately clutching at his collar, about the insane, full of horror and tears, the eyes near the face ...

While they were looking for a doctor,” Felix went on, “I looked into your office. I burned your note from sin away. With the doctor, too ... talked. He will say, and if necessary, he will write everything as it should be in the conclusion. For everyone, yesterday's incident is a tragic accident. You went into the garage to check the engine, but accidentally slammed the front door behind you and did not notice how you swallowed poisonous fumes. Fortunately, your absence was quickly discovered and everything worked out.

Dimitri let out a delighted laugh.

Your cunning and forethought, my dear, have no limits.

More recently, I decided to read the memoirs of Felix Yusupov, knowing full well that I would have a fascinating excursion into history, bloody and sad, but at the same time great and alluring - this happens sometimes. It was in the era of shocks, revolutions, world wars that Prince Felix Felixovich Sumarokov happened to live Elston Jr. - by his father, Yusupov - by his mother. Charming and direct, scandalous and outrageous, kind and unpredictable. For me, it symbolizes the Russia that was lost forever. A sophisticated bisexual and at the same time a courageous gentleman combined in him organically. He was never afraid to be himself and did not hide what he thought. As befits a true Russian prince, he did not take French citizenship, remaining stateless until the end of his life, keeping 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 memoirs as he loved her forever and which he would never have found like that. 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 survived 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, later the brothers became very close to each other. From the earliest years, Felix became close to his mother, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, the last in the Yusupov family, one of the richest heirs of Russia. She really expected 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 everything that is permissible only for a girl. Felix was glad to try. He looked at his mother like 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. With Felix, they always had a difficult relationship. He wanted to see his continuation in him, but this did not happen and could not happen - the father and son were very different, therefore the distance was between them throughout their lives. Since 1891, the husband of Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, by imperial decree, became known as Count Sumarokov-Elston, Prince Yusupov. The same title was worn by their son - Felix. His parents were very different people. The princess was very secular, fond of nature, who adored art, played music and sang beautifully. Felix Jr. inherited all these virtues of hers. He danced beautifully and loved ballet. He was very friendly with the great ballerina Anna Pavlova. This family has always been surrounded by people of art, science, and Felix Sumarokov Elston Sr. was a man of a different stock. At times this weighed on 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 in the form of a woman, then performances in a cabaret, where, with a soprano given to him by God, he, dressed up as a woman, amused the audience. This was his nature. To shock, to surprise - was his destiny. Of course, the father knew about the antics of his son, and the princess understood that this was the fault of her upbringing, but her son never reproached her, he idolized her. Student Yusupov did not differ in diligence and perseverance, but he was very lively and direct and quickly grasped on the fly, however, only what interested him. This quality of his - to prioritize in the future was very useful to him.

In addition to his mother and brother, in his youth and in subsequent years, Grand Duchess Eliaveta Feodorovna, the sister of Empress Alexandra of the Russian Empire, was a close friend of Felix. 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 a pure soul, and whether the flesh was sinful - it was not important for her - a pious and very intelligent woman who considered love and compassion for others the most important postulates of life. It was she who inspired Felix that he is responsible for his great family and how much good he can do to people. And he did. He helped with the sick in the hospital under the patronage of the Grand Duchess, 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 Felix in a duel, he becomes the sole heir to the richest Yusupov family fortune. Nicholas was killed in a duel by Count Manteuffel, with whose wife, Maria Heiden, Nicholas had a relationship. This grief rallied 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, in fact, the first tragedy in his life. At this time, the family, as always, was very supported by the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. Felix considered her a Saint.

The Grand Duchess and her husband, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, did not have children of their own. They raised Sergei Alexandrovich's own nephews - orphans: Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, Jr., 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 Dmitry did not frighten at all - on the contrary, he liked that Felix was special, artistic, sincere, very lively. And Felix was 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, claimed that they were more than friendly. And she's not alone. Dmitry Pavlovich was the favorite of the royal couple, and the sovereign and the empress did not like the friendship between their favorite and the scandalous handsome Yusupov. The Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna had a different opinion - they were completely different from their sister (Empress Alexandra Feodorovna), their views on life and character were also very different. They didn't get along, frankly. Neither before nor after. Dmitry was little worried about rumors about the relationship of his uncle Sergei Alexandrovich with Felix. The General-Governor of Moscow in the Romanov family had a reputation as a "black sheep". Only now in his nephews, two orphans Dmitry and Maria, he did not look for souls. Be that as it may, together with Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, they went down in history as one of the main organizers and executors 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 cordiality in people. He did not like pomposity and hypocrisy, hypocrisy and pretense. He parted with many, 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 being 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. With Dmitry Pavlovich, he did not stop communicating. Too much 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 native niece of Nicholas II, the daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna - the sister of the last Russian emperor. Felix had known her since she was young. The crowned Romanov family was not against intermarrying with the richest family in Russia. Felix and Irina sympathized with 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 Romanovs. She was very modest and shy. Before the engagement, Felix told her everything, without concealing his relationship with men, explained what shocked him in women and why he was more attracted to male society. Far from embarrassed, Irina Alexandrovna 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 annoyed him. She was a very smart person. And both realized that they were looking in the same direction. But Felix did not know that Dmitry Pavlovich also wanted to marry her. True, earlier they wanted to marry him to the daughter of Emperor Nicholas II, Olga, but the all-powerful at that time, Rasputin, told the Empress about his connections with men. Dmitry held a grudge. Felix and Dmitry agreed not to interfere with Irina to decide whom she wants to marry. But Irina Alexandrovna immediately declared that she would marry only Felix and no one else. However, not everything went so smoothly. Felix was slandered in front of Irina's parents, and those whom he trusted. Shortly before the marriage, Irina's father announces a break in the engagement. Felix manages to convince the future father-in-law of the fallacy and haste of his decision. Irina showed firmness and once again emphasized - either Felix or nobody. The fate of the young was to be decided by Irina's grandmother - Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna - nee Princess Dagmar Frederica Glucksburg, 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 Xenia Alexandrovna, went to Copenhagen, where Maria Feodorovna was visiting her relatives. After a conversation with Felix, she said: "Do not be afraid, I am with you." On February 22, 1914, the wedding of Prince Felix and the princess of imperial blood, Irina Alexandrovna Romanova, took place in St. Petersburg.

After the wedding, the young went on a trip. From the departing train, Felix noticed Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich in the distance on the platform. With whom exactly he came to say goodbye, no one knows, except for the two of them. The wedding was a turning point in their relationship, but not so much that they would be interrupted. Felix wrote: “I have always been outraged by human injustice to those who love differently. You can blame same-sex love, but not the lovers themselves. Normal relationships are contrary to their nature. Are they guilty of being created this way?” Of course, he meant himself. True, it would not be bad for today's domestic figures and representatives of the so-called leading and ruling elite to pay attention to the words of a person 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 brought up by representatives of the old Russian formation, which knew how to see and accept human features. Among the representatives of his society, such judgments were enough. 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 famous Yusupov family, Felix Feliksovich, whose ancestors were Tatars, is by nature nomadic and eccentric, as few people had sobriety of thinking and nobility of thought. It is bitter to realize that others no longer exist, and those are far away. Irina Alexandrovna was his adviser in everything and perfectly understood that this nature cannot be remade and re-educated - she loved him for those qualities for which many loved - the simplicity of the soul, human warmth and deceit 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 Elizabeth Feodorovna, believed that Grigory Rasputin was 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 Milica Nikolaevna, the wife of Grand Duke Peter Nikolayevich. It was she who introduced the elder Rasputin to the imperial couple. Militsa Nikolaevna was fond of mysticism and introduced Alexandra Feodorovna to this. Rasputin could relieve attacks of hemophilia from Tsarevich Alexei, for which he was perceived by the empress as nothing more than a saint. Rasputin really had hypnotic power, but his influence on the Imperial Court began to grow exorbitantly. Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna was the first to suspect the danger. However, after her conversation with the Empress, she realized that the Empress did not want to hear anything negative about Grigory Efimovich. And she did not come to her again. Elizaveta Feodorovna also spoke to her sister. To no avail.

The empress considered everything to be slander, for saints are always slandered. Rasputin could appoint and dismiss, and then arrange those who were beneficial to him. He had the most power. The emperor silently agreed with all the orders of his wife - for Rasputin is the savior of their son, the future ruler of the Empire. Felix Feliksovich, together with Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, deputy Vladimir Purishkovich and British intelligence officer Oscar Reiner, planned to kill Rasputin. But first, Felix needed to win the trust of the troublemaker of all Russia. Under the pretext of a cure for 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 1916 Rasputin was killed by conspirators. The details of this crime are not completely clear. Each of the conspirators confused the investigation with his testimony. Today there is a version that the last fatal shot was fired by Oscar Reiner, a British intelligence agent, a close friend and lover of Felix Yusupov since his studies at Oxford. The murder of Rasputin - Felix considered 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 met 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 cheering. Felix was sent into exile on the estate of his father Rakitino, in the Kursk province. Dmitry Pavlovich was sent to the Persian front. The link there saved him from revolutionary bullets. I must say, at the station late at night, when Dmitry was leaving Petrograd, the head of the train made him understand that he could take the train to a siding, from where it would be easy to escape. Dmitry did not escape and survived - sometimes obviously the worst, becomes the unintended best.

Felix Feliksovich survived the revolution, but it forever separated him from his homeland and took away his loved ones from him. In Alapaevsk in 1918, the Grand Russian Princess Elizaveta Feodorovna was killed. The Kaiser of Germany would have saved her if she had not been steadfast in her decision not to leave Russia. Felix said goodbye to her shortly. Rasputin - she considered the devil for Russia and Felix made it clear 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, Elizabeth Feodorovna 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 the Crimea, in their estate Ai-Todor. They remained in the Crimea until April 1919. On April 13, Felix Yusupov and his family boarded the battleship Marlboro, leaving Russia. Led by the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna, who lost her sons and grandchildren in the Revolution, and sobbing while standing on the bow of the Marlboro. None of them were destined to see Russia again. Then they did not know this 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 survived. But in Paris, Felix and Irina forgot about the antique jewels that their familiar jeweler reworked. However, they were later stolen. Felix's friend. Prince Yusupov Jr. unlimitedly believed in people. Felix's car, which he bought more than 5 years ago, was waiting for him in the garage - this greatly simplified the movement of the family. In London, at the Ritz Hotel, Felix knocked. Opening the door on the threshold stood the Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich. Irina was away with her father in France. Dmitry and Felix did not part until Dmitry's departure. Dmitry Pavlovich offered to move from London to him in Switzerland, but Felix could not because new refugees from Russia were arriving who needed him. He never refused anyone. I considered it my first duty. Felix's parents with little Irina were in Rome. In Rome, Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova headed the central committee for helping refugees from Russia. In 1920, Felix and Irina moved to Paris. The Yusupovs spent huge sums of money to support the refugees, which they no longer had. From Russia, they were able to take out two original Rembrandts, some jewelry, and there was a house on Lake Geneva. The remaining jewels were pawned to support the refugees and themselves. With the money from the sale of Rembrandt paintings, the Yusupovs bought a small house in Boulogne-sur-Seine. This house became a haven for many Russians who sought support from people of boundless kindness, who were Felix and Irina Yusupov. In our time, there are enough wealthy people, with prosperity, opportunities, but most of them will not even think of helping someone, organizing something, trying to find someone a job. A feeling of mutual assistance and compassion was characteristic of the representatives of the glorious and so tragic Russia that had long gone.

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. A film was released at the studio - "Rasputin and the Empress" from which it followed that Irina Alexandrovna was Rasputin's mistress. What 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 parents. November 24, 1939 Zinaida Nikolaevna died. Dying, she held the hand of her son. Throughout her life, he was her support in everything. After the death of his father, 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 - a unique oval Pelegrin pearl from the collection of the Yusupov princes. The Germans audited the safes in the bank where she was and, in return for the return of the pearl, offered Felix cooperation. Prince Yusupov replied: "Neither my wife nor I will agree to this for anything. 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 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 Pelegrina. We needed money. For more than 20 years they lived with Irina Alexandrovna in their house on Pierre Guérin Street. They retained the youth of the soul until the end of their days. Guests were always welcome. Self-esteem, this great couple carried through 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 bizarre but genuine Russian aristocrat, both by birth and in spirit, which is not always the case, 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 Valentin Serov, adored by him. Princess of Imperial blood, Her Highness Irina Alexandrovna Yusupova, nee Romanova, died on February 26, 1970. Their alliance with Prince Yusupov was a rare example of like-minded people, patriots - forced to leave their native land and people who are 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 at the famous Parisian cemetery of Saint Genevieve de Bois, where many representatives of old Russia, who made her glory, found their last shelter. Today, the direct descendant of Felix and Irina is their granddaughter Ksenia Sfiri - nee 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 family of the Muravyovs. One 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 people's memory.

Belonging to the most influential and wealthy family, Felix Yusupov was a very outrageous person. Loving to dress up as a woman and turn the head of young officers, involved in the murder of Rasputin, he was known for centuries as a dark personality in Russian history. On the other hand, as if on a scale, his good deeds are balanced: the creation of a fashion house in Paris, patronage and assistance to emigrants from Russia in France. How did demonic vices and good deeds coexist in Yusupov?

Prince's parents

The parents of the imperial dandy were Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova and Count Sumarokov-Elston. Mother was an enviable bride, the owner of a colossal fortune. Not only eminent bachelors of the Russian Empire fought for her hand, but also the aristocrats of Europe. Felix Yusupov recalled her as a beautiful, fragile and very intelligent creature.

Zinaida Nikolaevna was not ambitious, so she married not for convenience (and she could even claim the royal throne), but for love. The chosen one was officer Felix Sumarokov-Elston. With the high position of his wife, he easily managed to make a career. Moreover, Felix the father was presented with a princely title by the emperor, and he was also allowed to be called by his wife's surname.

The marriage of such dissimilar people, a refined princess and an officer, was happy, but not easy. Two children were born: Nikolai, the eldest, and Felix. In 1908, the 25-year-old heir tragically dies during a duel and Felix Yusupov becomes the successor to a huge fortune. His biography will be told below.

Childhood

Childhood is the time when the personality is formed, the formation of character takes place. Yusupov Felix Feliksovich was born in 1887, on March 23.

His youthful years were spent in luxury and festivities. A favorite of his mother, he was very handsome: regular, as if carved features, in which aristocracy was traced. Zinaida Ivanovna passionately wanted a girl, so she dressed Felix exclusively in girlish clothes.

Apparently, this habit remained with the boy from a distant childhood. Already a five-year-old child, Yusupov demonstrates his love for dressing up in women's dresses. Not soldiers and games with boys, but his mother's wardrobe - that's his favorite pastime. Together with their brother Nikolai, they dress up as women and visit taverns, gatherings of women of easy virtue. Felix even performs in a cabaret: he sings one of the parties.

This occupation infuriates his father, the boy constantly receives slaps in the face. Felix Feliksovich wanted to see in his son the successor of his military affairs, and the women's things on the boy did not fit into this idea. The relationship of the two Felixes has always been distanced.

The hobby continued until the death of Nikolai, Felix's brother.

Period of life in the Russian Empire

In Russia, the young Prince Felix Yusupov was known as an eccentric youth, a rebel. He loved ridiculous antics, extremely surprising the audience. They talk about him, gossip, give rise to fables. It should not be forgotten that the society of that time was not as accustomed to shocking as modern, so the shocking actions of the young Yusupov stunned many.

As for Yusupov the student, he was not a diligent student. However, he had an amazing mind and the ability to synthesize the necessary information.

At first he studied at a private gymnasium, then continued to receive an education at Oxford University. There he connected Russian-speaking students into society, and also created an automobile club.

Yusupov had a special relationship with his mother's friend, Grand Duchess Elizabeth. She was the sister of the Empress. Felix considered the woman a saint, her advice, parting words, good attitude helped the young man survive the tragic death of his brother. In 1914, Yusupov marries Irina, a representative of the Romanov dynasty, and thus becomes related to the imperial family.

The First World War finds the young Yusupov couple in Germany. With difficulty returning to St. Petersburg, Felix begins to help in the treatment of patients at the hospital. In 1915, the Yusupovs had a daughter, Irina.

The murder of Rasputin: background

Zinaida, Yusupov Felix Feliksovich and even Grand Duchess Catherine saw that they were suffering because of the closeness with the imperial family, because the attention of monarchs was riveted only to this dark personality.

Indeed, Gregory began to occupy a high position at the court of the emperor. The savior of the heir, he was revered by the empress as a saint. All attempts to appeal to common sense were unsuccessful: the empress was adamant, considered everything to be slander. And the emperor was forced to agree with everything, because the life of the blood heir was in the hands of the elder. Thus, a plan to kill the objectionable "saint" began to be thought out.

The murder conspiracy

Felix's involvement in the murder was the most direct. However, he will remember this for the rest of his life as a nightmare. Close friends of Yusupov took part in the conspiracy: deputy Purishkevich, Dmitry Pavlovich, a native of the royal family, and a resident of the British intelligence services, O. Reiner, was also involved.

To implement the plan, it was necessary to get close to Gregory. This role was assigned to Felix. He asks Rasputin to get rid of vice, to help.

12/17/1916 Rasputin is invited to the Yusupov family mansion, allegedly to meet Irina, Felix's wife (she is currently in the Crimea). There they try to poison him first, and then fatal shots are heard.

This crime hides many mysteries, but one thing is clear: Felix himself believed that by doing this he was saving his beloved country from obscurantism. Indeed, the citizens of the empire breathed a sigh of relief upon learning of the death of Gregory.

Suspected Felix Yusupov is exiled to Rakitino, his father's estate.

Emigration: life in London

The family safely survives the revolution, but emigrates to Europe. Their path ran first to the Crimea, then to Malta. Further, Prince Felix Yusupov and his family are sent to the UK, and his parents - to the capital of Italy.

Until the last, they all hoped that they would still see their native lands, but this was not destined to come true.

In London, Felix helps the incoming noble refugees. The family does not live in luxury, as in their homeland, because they left all the treasures at home. The jewels that were on the women were sold - they lived on this. It could not do without swindlers who robbed the Yusupovs.

Paris: World War II

The last place of residence is Paris. Irina and Felix Yusupov moved there in 1920. Miraculously, they managed to take out the original paintings and some jewelry from Russia. This was enough to buy a small house. France also continues to help those who fled from the new realities of the country of the Soviets. At the same time, the Irfé fashion house was opened by the Yusupovs, but it did not bring them the desired financial well-being.

Funds for life appeared in an unexpected way: a film about Rasputin and his death was released in Hollywood. It was reported that the elder had a love affair with Irina, Felix's wife. It was decided to go to court with charges of defamation. As a result, the couple received good compensation.

During the war, Yusupov flatly refuses to join the Nazis. They took possession of Felix's family - a very rare gem. They blackmailed her, but the prince was adamant. As a result, the jewel returned to the family.

In 1942, tragic news comes: Yusupov's best friend, who participated with him in a conspiracy against Rasputin, died - Grand Duke Dmitry. For a long time Felix mourns his friend.

After the end of the war, the Yusupovs live in Paris, they barely have enough money, but they do not despair: they are always hospitable, joyful and happy, despite severe hardships. Felix Yusupov, whose photo is in the article, is an example of a truly Russian aristocrat. Uncorruptible, with self-respect, but at the same time open to helping the disadvantaged.

Wife Irina Alexandrovna

A person's personality will not be fully revealed if one does not delve into his relationship with his wife. The wife of Felix Yusupov is nee Romanova, the emperor's niece Irina Alexandrovna.

From the very engagement, the relationship of young people underwent obstacles. It should be said that Felix himself decided to marry, it was his decision, and not pressure from the family. Young people knew each other from childhood, had tender feelings in their youth, so they were not at all against the wedding. The families also did not mind, the union was quite equal in rights: the Romanovs and the richest family in the country. However, the engagement almost broke down because of "well-wishers" who told Irina's father compromising facts about Felix's sodomy. The young man convinces the future father-in-law of his innocence, and the wedding takes place.

Throughout their lives in exile, the Yusupov couple was engaged in charity work and helping other emigrants, although they lived very modestly. They are an example of like-minded spouses, zealous patriots of their country.

Probably, for all the good deeds they were destined to live for many years: Felix Yusupov dies in 1968 at the age of 80, his faithful wife Irina died 2 years later.

Descendants of the prince

Unfortunately, the Yusupovs had only one daughter, Irina. During emigration, she lives for some time with her grandmother Zinaida, after which she marries Count Sheremetyev and moves to Rome.

Xenia is born from this union. Thus, she, her daughter Tatyana and two granddaughters are living direct descendants of the Yusupov family.

In the life of the last of the Yusupov princes, there were both a dazzling brilliance of luxury and scandalous love stories, as well as a brutal murder, emigration to Europe, poverty and a high-profile lawsuit with the famous Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ..

A young man "with an icon-painted face of Byzantine writing"

It can be safely called a representative of the "golden youth" of the early 20th century. The boy, born in the family of Count Felix Sumarokov-Elston and Princess Zinaida Yusupova, was one of the richest heirs in Tsarist Russia. People who knew him noted the beauty, grace and refined manners of the young man.

Sergei Diaghilev liked the portrait of the young prince very much. Photo: Public Domain

When he was 17 years old, the artist Valentin Serov came to the Yusupov estate to paint portraits of members of a respected family. A good friendship was established between him and the teenager. Years later, Felix wrote in his memoirs that they had long conversations that affected his young mind. The portrait of the young prince, in which Felix posed with a French bulldog, was very liked by Sergei Diaghilev, who took the painting to Venice in 1907, where an exhibition of Russian painting was held.

“The picture brought unnecessary fame to me. My father and mother did not like this, and they asked Diaghilev to take her away from the exhibition, ”Felix later recalled.

But Felix could not hide from fame, besides, he constantly threw “burnings into the fire”, arranging daring antics. So, for example, it was no secret to anyone that he liked to dress up in women's dresses. Moreover, the young man “with the iconic face of Byzantine writing,” as Vertinsky spoke of him, was even seen in one of the cabarets, where he played the female role instead of one of the “blue-eyed actresses” of the Aquarium Theater. The family jewels that were worn on the pretty "singer" then helped to recognize Felix.

And Yusupov spoke about his pranks without hiding. By the way, in his memoirs, he described in detail a walk with his cousin, when for the sake of fun they decided to take a walk along Nevsky, dressed in women's dresses.

“We found everything we needed in mother’s closet. We unloaded ourselves, blushed, put on jewelry, wrapped ourselves in velvet coats that were too tall for us, went down the far stairs and, waking up my mother's hairdresser, demanded wigs, they say, for a masquerade. In this form we entered the city. On Nevsky, a haven for prostitutes, we were immediately noticed. To get rid of the gentlemen, we answered in French: "We are busy" - and it was important to move on. They fell behind when we entered the chic restaurant "Medved". Right in our fur coats, we went into the hall, sat down at a table and ordered dinner. It was hot, we were suffocating in these velvets. They looked at us with curiosity. The officers sent a note inviting us to have dinner with them in the office. The champagne went to my head…”

In the same book, Felix also wrote about the origins of his unusual addictions. So, according to him, the mother, expecting a child, was sure that a girl would be born. As a result, a pink dowry was prepared. When the boy was born, Zinaida Yusupova, "to console herself, dressed Felix as a girl until she was five."

Zinaida Yusupova, "to console herself, dressed Felix as a girl until she was five." Photo: Public Domain

Marriage with Irina Romanova

Knowing about the scandalous fame of Felix in the world, it is hard to believe that the royal family approved of his union with Irina Romanova, niece of Nicholas II.

Yusupov romantically described his first acquaintance with the only daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna in his biography. According to him, he immediately realized that this girl was his destiny:

Irina was the only daughter of Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna. Photo: Public Domain

“Shyness made her silent, which increased her charm and surrounded her with mystery. Overwhelmed by a new feeling, I understood the poverty of my past adventures. Finally, I also found that perfect harmony, which is the basis for all true love.

At that time, Felix was the only heir to the Yusupov family fortune: in 1908, his older brother Nikolai died in a duel with Count Arvid Manteuffel.

Knowing about the fabulous condition of the groom, Irina's relatives did not want to believe the rumors that Felix, for example, had a love relationship with Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich. As a result, the wedding took place in February 1914 in the church of the Anichkov Palace. The imperial family even attended the magnificent ceremony.

“The sovereign asked me through my future father-in-law what to give me for my wedding. 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 emperor, he laughed and agreed. We were flooded with gifts. Unpretentious peasant gifts lay next to luxurious diamonds, ”wrote Felix Yusupov.

The following year - in March 1915 - a daughter, Irina, was born to young people. True, the new marital status and the birth of the first child did not change the reputation of the prince, who still remained the main character of secular gossip.

Murder of Rasputin

The name of Felix Yusupov also went down in history thanks to the high-profile murder that took place in St. Petersburg in 1916.

On December 17, the corpse of Grigory Rasputin, an "old man" who had a huge influence on the royal family, was discovered in the Neva.

The conclusion of the forensic expert said that the "tsar's friend" was brutally killed: "The entire right side of the head was crushed, flattened due to bruising of the corpse when falling from the bridge. Death followed from profuse bleeding due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The corpse also had a gunshot wound in the back, in the region of the spine, with crushing of the right kidney, and another wound point-blank, in the forehead, probably already dying or dead.

The absence of water in the lungs indicated that Rasputin was thrown into the water when he was already dead.

Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich, Felix Yusupov and the monarchist Vladimir Purishkevich were involved in the crime. It is still not known for certain what happened in the Yusupov Palace on the Moika on the night of December 17, since the participants changed their testimony several times.

It is generally accepted that the conspirators lured Rasputin to the palace, where they treated him to wine and a pie poisoned with potassium cyanide. After that, Yusupov shot at Grigory Rasputin, but he attacked the offender, trying to strangle him. After that, the attackers fired several more bullets at the "old man". Nevertheless, the wounded Rasputin tried to hide from the killers, but they caught him, tied him up and threw him into the Neva near Kamenny Island.

Years later, in his book The End of Rasputin, Felix Yusupov wrote: “His body was thrown into the icy water of the Neva, trying to overcome both the poison and the bullet until the last minute. The Siberian vagabond, who ventured into too risky business, could not have died otherwise; only there, in his homeland, in the waves of the Tobol or Tura, hardly anyone would be looking for the corpse of the murdered horse thief Grishka Rasputin.

Describing his acquaintance with Rasputin, the young prince emphasized his unpleasant repulsive "peasant" appearance. Photo credit: creative commons

Describing his acquaintance with Rasputin, the young prince emphasized his unpleasant repulsive "peasant" appearance, but at the same time - charisma and an unusual frightening look. At the same time, according to Yusupov, he managed to win the trust of this voluptuous "horse thief":

“We sometimes talked for a long time with him. Considering me his friend, who unshakably believed in his divine mission, counting on my assistance and support in everything, Rasputin did not find it necessary to hide in front of me and gradually revealed all his cards to me. He was so convinced of the power of his influence on people that he did not even allow the thought that I might not be in his power.

You know, dear, - he once said to me, - you are painfully smart, and it is easy to talk with you, you understand everything at once. If you want, I’ll even make you a minister, just agree.”

There is one version that Yusupov turned to Rasputin with a request to cure him of the "sodomy sin", but during the hypnosis treatment session, on the contrary, he tried to seduce the young man.

It is worth noting that in 1932 the film "Rasputin and the Empress" was released, in which the creators showed that Yusupov's wife was in an intimate relationship with Rasputin. The Yusupov couple, who at that moment lived in Paris, were outraged by this fact, and they sued the Hollywood company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The law was on their side, and MGM paid them huge monetary compensation for defamation. It is believed that after this story, there was a rule to indicate at the beginning of the film that all the events shown on the screen are nothing more than fiction.

MGM paid the Yusupov couple a huge monetary compensation. Photo: Public Domain

Felix Yusupov died in France at the age of 80. His body rests in the Russian cemetery at Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois.

The handsome prince Felix Feliksovich Yusupov still strikes the imagination of many ladies and still remains one of the most mysterious figures in Russian history. The last heir to one of the richest families in Tsarist Russia, the murderer of Grigory Rasputin, he was constantly in the spotlight even in exile: everyone from journalists to politicians wanted to know the secrets of his family. After the Second World War, Felix, apparently summing up his life, wrote his memoirs in French, which are now safely translated into Russian and are available to everyone. A very interesting story about the Yusupov family, starting from very distant times, even from the ancestors of the Tatars, and ending with sad nostalgia for forever abandoned Russia ... Well, a few interesting excerpts from memoirs and photographs will once again allow you to immerse yourself in the life of this interesting person and his entourage .. .

Prince Felix Feliksovich Yusupov, Count Sumarokov-Elston

I was born on March 24, 1887 in our St. Petersburg house on the Moika. The day before, they assured me, my mother had been dancing all night long at the ball in the Winter Palace, which meant, they said, the child would be cheerful and inclined to dance. Indeed, by nature I am a merry fellow, but 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 the home church, the priest almost drowned me in the font, where he dipped me three times according to the Orthodox tradition. They say I woke up violently.

Felix Yusupov "Memoirs"

Family photo of the Yusupovs - in a children's dress in the arms of Zinaida Yusupova, young Felix

I was born the fourth boy. Two died in infancy. Carrying me, mother was waiting for her daughter, and the children's dowry was sewn pink. My mother was disappointed with me and, in order to console herself, she dressed me as a girl until the age of five. I was not upset; on the contrary, I was proud. “Look,” I shouted to passers-by on the street, “how handsome I am!” Mother's whim subsequently left an imprint on my character.

Coat of arms of the Yusupov family

The famous great-grandmother of Felix Yusupov is Zinaida Ivanovna, Countess de Chauveau. Portrait by Christina Robertson

As a child, I was lucky to know my great-grandmother, Zinaida Ivanovna Naryshkina, by her second marriage, Countess de Chauveau. She died when I was ten years old, but I remember her very clearly. My great-grandmother was a well-written beauty, she lived happily and had more than one adventure. When her son got married, she gave the young people a house on the Moika, and she herself settled on Liteiny. This new house of hers was exactly like the old one, only smaller ... In 1925, while living in exile in Paris, I read in the newspaper that during a search of our Petersburg houses, the Bolsheviks found a secret door in the great-grandmother's bedroom, and - a male skeleton in a shroud ... Then I wondered and wondered about him.

Felix Yusupov "Memoirs"

Newlyweds - Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova and Felix Felixovich Sumarokov-Elston

Felix Yusupov's father, Count Felix Felixovich Sumarokov-Elston, lieutenant general

« straight road» - this is the motto of the Sumarokovs. My father remained faithful to him all his life. And he was morally superior to many people in our circle. He was very good-looking, tall, thin, elegant, brown-eyed and black-haired. Over the years, he sank, but did not lose his stateliness. He had more sanity than thoughtfulness. For his kindness, ordinary people loved him, especially his subordinates, but his superiors sometimes disliked him for his directness and harshness. In his youth, he wanted a military career. He entered the guards regiment and subsequently commanded it, and even later became a general and was in the imperial retinue.

Young Felix on horseback

Family photo of the Yusupovs: father Felix Feliksovich Yusupov, mother Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova, eldest son Nikolai and youngest son Felix

Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova

Serov V.A. Fragment of a portrait of Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova 1900

Mother was amazing. Tall, thin, graceful, swarthy and black-haired, with eyes shining like stars. Smart, educated, artistic, kind. No one could resist her charms.

Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova with her beloved Pomeranian

Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova in front of her portrait by K.E. Makovsky 1900s

Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova in Russian costume 1900s

Mother was very much loved by the entire imperial family, in particular the sister of the queen, Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna. Mother was also on friendly terms with the king, but she was not friends with the queen for long. Princess Yusupova was too independent and said what she thought, even at the risk of anger. No wonder that the Empress was whispered something, and she stopped seeing her. In 1917, the life doctor, dentist Kastritsky, returning from Tobolsk, where the royal family was under arrest, read to us the last sovereign's message transmitted to him:

« When you see Princess Yusupov, tell her that I understood how correct her warnings were. If they had been listened to, many tragedies would have been avoided.».

Francois Flameng Princess Zinaida Nikolaevna Yusupova in Arkhangelsk 1894

Let's digress at this point from the memory of Felix Yusupov and read what is written by L.P. Minarik. in the book "Economic characteristics of the largest land owners of Russia at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. M., 1971" about the wealth of the Yusupovs: "In In 1900, the value of their estates, dachas and houses was 21.7 million rubles, including the cost of St. Petersburg houses - 3.5 million rubles, the Moscow house - 427.9 thousand rubles, anthracite mine - 970 thousand rubles ., sugar factory - 1.6 million rubles, cardboard and paper factories - 986 thousand rubles. In 1900, the Yusupovs owned 23 estates; the largest of them were estimated: Rakitnoye - 4 million rubles, Milyatinskoye - 2.3 million rubles, Klimovskoye - 1.3 million rubles, Arkhangelskoye - 1.1 million rubles. By 1914, the Yusupovs had 3.2 million rubles. securities kept in the State Noble, Moscow Merchant, Azov-Don, St. Petersburg International, St. Petersburg Commercial and Industrial and Russian for Foreign Trade Banks." It is worth remembering that all these capitals were provided at that time with real gold, and not just pieces of paper, which we now have on hand.

Yusupov family photo

Our winter and summer trips remained unchanged: in winter, St. Petersburg - Moscow - Tsarskoye Selo; Arkhangelskoye in summer, in the autumn for the hunting season, the estate in Rakitnoye. At the end of October we went to the Crimea.
We rarely went abroad, but our parents often took my brother and me on trips to our own factories and estates. They were numerous and scattered throughout Russia, while others were so far away that we never managed to reach them.

In Arkhangelsk among the peasants. In the background Felix Yusupov

Son and mother Yusupov

For the summer we went to Arkhangelsk. Many friends went to see us off, stayed to visit us and stayed until autumn. Whether I liked the guests or not depended on their attitude towards the Arkhangelsk estate. I could not stand those who were insensitive to her beauty, but only ate, drank and played cards. Their presence I considered blasphemy. From such I always ran away to the park. I wandered among the trees and fountains and tirelessly admired the happy combination of nature and art. This beauty strengthened, calmed, encouraged.

The Yusupov family on the stairs of the park

Yusupovs in the park

Finally, Arkhangelsky found an admirer in my taste - the artist Serov, who in 1904 came to the estate to paint portraits of us. This was a wonderful person. Of all the great artists I met in Russia and Europe, he is the most precious and vivid memory. At first sight we became friends. Our friendship was based on love for Arkhangelsk. In between sessions, I took him to the park, sat him in the woods on my favorite bench, and we talked to our hearts' content. His ideas markedly influenced my young mind. By nature, he was independent and disinterested and could not hide what he thought. He told me that when he painted 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. It was the best portrait of Nicholas II. In 1717, during the revolution, when a brutal mob broke into the Winter Palace, the painting was torn to shreds. One piece was picked up on Palace Square and brought to me by an officer I know, and I treasure this relic like the apple of my eye.

Young Felix Yusupov

Felix Yusupov posing for artist Valentin Serov

Serov V.A. Portrait of Felix Yusupov

Felix Yusupov years later ...

Serov was pleased with my portrait. Diaghilev took it from us to an exhibition of Russian painting organized by him in Venice in 1907. The picture brought unnecessary fame to me. This did not please her father and mother, and they asked Diaghilev to take her away from the exhibition.

Young Princess Irina Alexandrovna Romanova with her brothers

Once, on a horseback ride near Koreiz, I saw a lovely girl accompanying a lady of respectable years. Our eyes met. She made such an impression on me that I stopped the horse and looked after her for a long time.

The next day and after, I made the same journey, hoping to see the beautiful stranger again. She didn't show up and I was very upset. But soon Grand Duke Alexander Mikhailovich and Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna visited us together with their daughter, Princess Irina. What were my joy and surprise when I recognized in Irina my stranger! This time I admired the wondrous beauty, the future companion of my life, to my heart's content. She was very much like her father, and her profile was reminiscent of an ancient cameo.

Prince Felix Yusupov in Russian costume 1910

On my return to England I received an invitation to a costume ball at the Albert Hall. There was plenty of time, and having managed to go to Russia for the holidays, I ordered in St. Petersburg a Russian costume made of golden brocade with red flowers of the 16th century. It came out great. The caftan and cap were embroidered with diamonds and trimmed with sables. The costume made a splash. That evening all London got acquainted with me, and the next day my photograph was printed in all the London newspapers.

Felix Yusupov in Russian costume

I spent the winter in Petersburg with my parents. The year 1913 marked a great event for me. Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich once came to my mother to discuss a proposed marriage between his daughter Irina and me. I was happy, because it answered my secret aspirations. I could not forget the young stranger I met on a walk on the Crimean road. From that day on, I knew that this was my destiny. Quite still, the girl turned into a dazzlingly beautiful young lady. From shyness she was restrained, but restraint added charm to her, surrounding her with a mystery. In comparison with the new experience, all my previous hobbies turned out to be miserable. I understood the harmony of true feeling. Shortly after returning from the Crimea, we officially announced our engagement. Finally, the wedding day was appointed: February 22, 1914 in St. Petersburg at the Dowager Empress in the chapel of the Anichkov Palace.

Prince Felix Yusupov 1915

Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna was not going to attend our wedding. The presence of a nun at a secular ceremony was, in her opinion, inappropriate. The day before, however, I visited her in Moscow. She received me with her usual kindness and blessed me.

The sovereign asked me through my future father-in-law what to give me for my wedding. 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 emperor, he laughed and agreed. We were flooded with gifts. Next to the luxurious diamonds lay unpretentious peasant gifts.

Princess Irina Alexandrovna Yusupova in a wedding dress

Irinin's wedding dress was magnificent: a white satin dress with silver embroidery and a long train, a crystal diadem with diamonds and a lace veil from Marie Antoinette herself. But for a long time I could not choose an outfit. I did not want to be in a tailcoat in broad daylight and wanted to get married in a business card, but the business card angered my relatives. Finally, the uniform of the nobility - a black coat with a collar and cuffs embroidered with gold and white pantaloons - suited everyone.

Prince and Princess Yusupov

Members of the royal family, married to persons of non-royal blood, were required to sign an abdication. No matter how far Irina was from the views of the throne, she also obeyed the rule. However, she was not upset.

Felix Yusupov "Memoirs"

Here we will skip a large number of chapters in the Memoirs of Felix Yusupov concerning the assassination of Rasputin and the political situation in Russia at that time and immediately move on to the tragedy of Russia in the year 1917, or rather already to 1918, to the period when the entire royal family was already destroyed .. Surprisingly, Felix Yusupov was denied the right to defend his Fatherland from the Bolsheviks ...