ISTORIA HEMOFILIEI

PRBUIREA MONARHIEI RUSE I REGINA VICTORIA

La prima vedere, regina Vic !ria pare per"!ana cea mai p#$in p! rivi % pen r# d#&i!a"a !n!are de a 'i 'aci(i a acce"#( (a p# ere (#i Lenin )i ac!(i$i(!r "%i &!()evici* +ar de"e!ri ,n i" !rie "e ,n -mp(% (#cr#ri &i.are )i, ana(i.-nd (a rece 'ap e(e, a/#ngem (a c!nc(#.ia c% 0marea "#veran%1, care )i2a imp#" n#me(e a"#pra ep!cii ,n care a r%i )i a genera ermen#( de 0vic !rian1 e" e, ,n r2adev%r, ca#.a primar% a neca.#ri(!r c# care $ari"m#( "2a c!n'r#n a , ,n dec#r"#( #( imi(!r "%i ani, c3iar dac% regina a av# ! c!n ri&#$ie indirec % )i de"ig#r, ned!ri %* 4n acea ep!c%, 'ami(ii(e rega(e a(e E#r!pei n# mai era# nici m%car e(e c!nvin"e c% g#vernea.% ,n vir # ea drep #(#i divin, dar ,nc% "e ag%$a# de a&"#rd#( principi# p! rivi c%r#ia d!ar e(e era# manda a e "% p!ar e c!r!ana )i "cep r#(* Nimeni n# re&#ia "% ,ndr%.nea"c% a p#ne "#& "emn#( ,n re&%rii a(&a" r#( "-nge rega(* C%"% !rii(e "e '%cea# d!ar ,n cerc#( 'ami(ii(!r d!mni !are e#r!pene )i, c#m ace" cerc era ade"ea '!ar e " r-m , "e ,n -mp(a ca mire"e(e "% ai&% grade de r#denie apr!pia e de miri, care (e era# 'ie veri)!ri, 'ie #nc3i5 P-n% (a "'-r)i #( "ec!(#(#i 6I6, nimeni n# p%rea "% 'i ,n$e(e" c- era# de peric#(!a"e ace" e maria/e ,n re r#de apr!pia e* Bi"erica cre) in% in er.icea c!m#ni#nea din re r#de(e de grad#( ,n -i, dar veri)!rii primari, adic% 'iii )i 'iice(e "#r!ri(!r )i 'ra$i(!r, "e p# ea# c%"% !ri, dac% ,n /!c era ! c!r!an% "a# ! m!) enire imp!r an %* Credin$a de (a care "e p!rnea ,n aran/area ace" !r re(a$ii cva"i2ince" #!a"e era c%, dac% &#nicii '#"e"er% mari !ameni de " a , a #nci nep!$ii, re.#( a$i din c%"nicia c!pii(!r (!r avea# "% 'ie (a 'e( de ,n$e(ep$i* Se !mi ea ,n"% c% n# d!ar in e(igen$a )i a&i(i a ea dip(!ma ic% "e ran"mi ea# de c% re p%rin$i, ci )i a( e ,n"#)iri, mai p#$in 'erici e*** Pen r# a ,n$e(ege r!(#( Vic !riei ,n c!(ap"#( $ari"m#(#i, re&#ie "% ne ,n !arcem c% re mi/(!c#( "ec!(#(#i 6I6, c-nd #n c%(#g%r ca !(ic p#r -nd n#me(e de Greg!r Mende( a deveni in ere"a de cre) erea ma.%rei* E( ,)i de"'%)#ra ac ivi a ea ,n gr%dina

a&a$iei "a(e din Br#nn, ,n A#" ria )i a '!" in riga de 'ap #( c%, dac% rec!( a "emin$e de (a p%" %i de dimen"i#ni mari, p(an e(e pr!d#"e #( eri!r n# era# ,n ! dea#na (a 'e( de mari* E( a ,ncerca "% ,ncr#ci)e.e ! "pecie de ma.%re c# eaca "c#r % c# #na c# eaca (#ng%, a p(an a &!a&e(e !&$in# e )i a !&"erva c# " #p!are c% p(an e(e !&$in# e avea# mai !a e eac% (#nga, )i n# medie, "a# )i (#ng% )i "c#r %, a)a c#m "2ar 'i a) ep a * C#ri!", c%(#g%r#( )i2a c!n in#a e7perien$e(e p-n% c-nd a !&$in# ! ram#r% care pr!d#cea d!ar eci (#ngi )i #na ce r!dea n#mai eci "c#r e* Ap!i, a ,ncr#ci)a p(an e(e !&$in# e )i a "em%na "emin$e(e* Trei "'er #ri din p(an e(e cre"c# e avea# p%" %i (#ngi )i d!ar #n "'er "c#r e* Mende( )i2a da "eama c% re&#ie "% e7i" e #n, 1'ac !r eredi ar1 care de ermina (#ngimea p(an e(!r, iar 'ac !r#( ce '%cea ca #ne(e p(an e "% 'ie c# p%" %i mai (#ngi "e ,n -(nea, pr!&a&i(, de d!#% !ri mai de" dec- ce( care de ermina pr!d#cerea de p(an e c# p%" %i "c#r e* +ac% prim#( 'ac !r era d#&(# )i ! p%" aie (#ng% 8T9 era ,ncr#ci)a % c# #na2 "c#r % 8 9, a #nci cei d!i 'ac !ri p# ea# '!rma pa r# c!m&ina$ii: TT, T , T )i * +ar ceea ce ,( in ere"a c# adev%ra pe Mende( era de ce eci(e (#ngi era# d!minan e, de vreme ce rei "'er #ri din re p(an e(e !&$in# e avea# p%" %i (#ngi 8T , T )i T9 )i d!ar #n "'er p%" %i "c#r e 8 9* +in re ce(e rei "'er #ri, d!ar 'ac !r#( TT pr!d#cea p%" %i (#ngi adev%ra e c-nd era ,ncr#ci)a e# ! a( % ram#r% TT, iar cei(a($i d!i 'ac !ri 8T )i T9 c!n$inea# #n 'ac !r de ermin-nd apari$ia de p%" %i "c#r e )i, c3iar )i ,ncr#ci)a e c# ram#ra TT pr!d#cea# ! mic% pr!p!r$ie de p(an e "c#r e* +#p% pe" e .ece ani de cerce %ri, Mende( a de"cri" e!ria 0'ac !ri(!r eredi ari1, ,n ;<==* +in ne'ericire, e( a ,ngr!pa acea" % genia(% de"c!perire ,n pagini(e #n#i /#rna( !&"c#r )i ea n# a a ra" a en$ia nim%n#i (a da a re"pec i v%* P!a e e% i" !ria E#r!pei ar 'i '!" a( a dac% imp(ica$ii(e maria/e(!r ,n re r#de apr!pia e ar 'i '!" ,n$e(e"e mai devreme* +e 'ap , a re&#i "% reac% >? de ani p-n% ce rei &! ani) i, de pe rei c!n inen e di'eri e, "% rede"c!pere e!ria (#i Mende(* 4n imp#( cerce %ri(!r e'ec #a e, a# da )i pe" e " #dii(e (#i Mende( )i, d!vedind c% e!ria "a e" e c!rec %, )i2 a# a"#ma g(!ria p!" #m% a c%(#g%r#(#i a#" riac* 4n ;@A?, Bi((iam Ba e"!n, (#cr-nd (a 3i&ridi.area ma.%rei d#(ci, (a Cam&ridge, a da e(emen e(!r "a# 0'ac !ri(!r eredi ari1 ai (#i Mende( n#me(e de 0gene1*

Ace" e gene, pr!veni e de (a am&ii p%rin$i, " a&i(e"c n# d!ar ,n'%$i)area pr!geni #rii (!r, dar )i m!d#( ,n care acea" a va reac$i!na (a in'(#en$e(e de medi#* Ciin$a #man% deriv% de (a ! "ing#r% ce(#(% 'eminin%, !v#(#( )i de (a ! "ing#r% ce(#(% ma"c#(in%, "perma !.!id#(* Am&e(e ce(#(e c!n$in #n n#c(e#, care (a r-nd#( "%# c!n$ine ! ma erie n#mi % cr!ma in%, vi.i&i(% n#mai (a micr!"c!p "#& '!rma #n!r 'ire ,nc-(ci e, '!rma e ,n principa( din acid n#c(eic 2 #n c!n" i #en '!ar e imp!r an , n#mi ,n .i(e(e n!a" e, ,n m!d #.#a(, A+N* C-nd !v#(#( e" e 'er i(i.a de "perma !.!id, cei d!i n#c(ei "e #ne"c )i '!rmea.% ! "ing#r% ce(#(%* Mi(iarde(e de ce(#(e ce '!rmea.% !rgani"m#( #n#i !m deriv% !a e din acea" % ce(#(%* C-nd ce(#(a2!# "e divide ,n d!#%, n!i(e ce(#(e c!n$in ,n ega(% m%"#r% e(emen e ma"c#(ine )i 'eminine )i ace" pr!ce" c!n in#% de2a (#ng#( cre) erii em&ri!n#(#i )i a de.v!( %rii c!rp#(#i "%#* 4nain e ca ce(#(a 'er i(i.a % "% "e divid% pen r# prima !ar%, 'ire(e ,nc-(ci e a(e cr!ma inei '#.i!nea.% pen r# a '!rma #n n#m%r de !rgani e av-nd '!rma apr!7ima iv% a (i erei 071, n#mi e cr!m!.!mii* Ace) ia p!ar % gene(e m!) eni e de (a " r%m!)i* Te!ria !rigina(% a (#i Mende( "e &a.a pe !&"erva$ii(e '%c# e c# !c3i#( (i&er* E( n# p# ea vedea ce "e ,n -mp(% de 'ap a #nci c-nd p(an e(e '!(!"i e ,n e7perien$e "e ,ncr#ci)a#* S #dii(e m!derne, e'ec #a e c# a/# !r#( micr!"c!p#(#i, a# c!n'irma p!" #(a e(e "a(e, p! rivi c%r!ra 0'ac !r#( eredi ar1 8TT "a# T , de pi(da9 e" e ,n ! 2 dea#na d#&(# (a #n individ )i c% d!ar /#m% a e din ace" e(emen "e ran"mi e de c% re 'iecare p%rin e pr!geni #rii* La !m, !v#(#( 'eminin )i ce(#(e(e "perma ice ma"c#(ine c!n$in 'iecare D> de cr!m!.!mi, ,n a)a 'e( ,nc- ce(#(a 'er i(i.a % va c!n$ine 46, de)i rare!ri ace" n#m%r p!a e 'i mai mare, c# re.#( a e ned!ri e din p#nc de vedere a( "%n% %$ii* N#m%r#( de cr!m!.!mi r%m-ne c!n" an c# 'iecare divi.i#ne ce(#(ar%, (a !$i mem&rii ra"ei #mane, dar m%rimea )i '!rma cr!m!.!mi(!r di'er% )i acea" % di'eren$% in'(#en$ea.% na #ra m!) enirii gene ice* 4n vreme ce cr!m!.!mii p!ar % di'eri e gene )i d!ar /#m% a e din cr!m!.!mii ma erni )i pa erni "#n ran"mi)i #rma)i(!r, e" e e7 rem de impr!&a&i( ca #n c!pi(, ,mpr#m# -nd D> de cr!m!.!mi de (a #n p%rin e )i ! a -$ia de (a ce(%(a( , "% "emene per'ec d!ar c# #n#( din re p%rin$i* E" e de a"emenea impr!&a&i( ca e( "% n# "emene c# nici #n#( din re ei* +e a"emenea, e" e p#$in pr!&a&i( ca d!i c!pii din aceea)i 'ami(ie "% 'ie '!ar e a"em%n% !ri, e7cep$ie '%c-nd ca.#( c-nd ei "#n gemeni iden ici, '!rma$i prin

divi.area #nei "ing#re ce(#(e 'er i(i.a e )i prin #rmare, "imi(ari din p#nc de vedere gene ic* C!ar e ade"ea, e7i" % a"em%n%ri 'i.ice ,n re mem&rii ace(eia)i 'ami(ii, de2a (#ng#( a genera$ii ,n regi, )i ace" ea "e p! !&"erva admir-nd p!r re e a(e " r%m!)i(!r 'ami(iei re"pec ive, c#m ar 'i de pi(d% Ha&"&#rgii, c# &#.e(e (!r c%.# e )i &%r&ia ,ng#" %* T! #)i, dac% am avea p!"i&i(i a ea "% #rm%rim p!r re e(e # #r!r repre.en an$i(!r ace" ei 'ami(ii, de #n mi(i!n de ani ,nc!ace, "% "p#nem, n# re&#ie "% ne a) ep %m "% g%"im vre! a"em%nare c# #rma)ii ei, care " %p-nea# A#" ria (a ,ncep# #( "ec!(#(#i 66* +i'eren$e v!r 'i c3iar mari dec- ce(e ce ar p# ea 'i e7p(ica e prin in'#.ia c!n" an % de gene pr!a"pe e, prin c%"% !rii* Ca$a )i c!rp#( ace" !r ,nain a)i ar 'i, de 'ap , p#$in a"em%n% !are c# !rice !m care r%ie) e a" %.i* Cap #( "e da !rea.% gene(!r ,n"e)i, care "e "c3im&% permanen , iar acea" % m# a$ie gene ic% a d#", ,n dec#r"#( mi(enii(!r, (a apari$ia !m#(#i din r2#n " r%m!) a"em%n% !r maim#$ei )i, merg-nd m#( mai depar e, pe 'ir#( i" !riei, din crea #ri care a# preceda 3!mini.ii* A" 'e( de "c3im&%ri gene ice "#n e"en$ia(e pen r# #n pr!ce" ev!(# iv !rd!na , pen r# c% e(e permi 'iin$e(!r "% "e adap e.e "c3im&%ri(!r grad#a(e de medi# )i #nei vie$i mai c!mp(e7e* La nive(#( ac #a( de de.v!( are ) iin$i'ic% )i e3n!(!gic%, a ap%ra en a$ia de a ,nc#ra/a m# a$ii(e pe ca(e ar i'icia(%* Un#( din re principa(e(e m! ive pen r# care re&#ie ! #)i "% rec#n!a) em c% e3nici(e de 0inginerie gene ic%1 "#n ri"can e deriv% din c#n!a) erea 'ap #(#i c% "e p! pr!d#ce acciden e )i ,n imp#( pr!ce"#(#i na #ra( de m# a$ie gene ic%, deci e" e p!"i&i( ca acciden e "imi(are "% "e repe e )i (a m# a$ii(e e'ec #a e ar i'icia(* C%ci #ne!ri, (#cr#ri(e c3iar ia# ! ,n !r"% #r% ned!ri %* Gena m# an % pr!d#ce carac eri" ici care n# era# pre.en e ,n m!de(#( gene ic !rigina(* Sc3im&%ri(e pr!d#"e p! (#a de"e!ri '!rma #n!r &!(i grave* Adev%ra e(e ma(adii gene ice n# "#n c!m#ne, de!arece, c#m &!a(a "e mani'e" % d!ar (a individ#( re"pec iv, 'ami(ia ace" #ia va 'i amenin$a % c# di"pari$ia de'ini iv%, ,n dec#r" de c- eva genera$ii* O e7cep$ie )i ! !da % prima dereg(are gene ic% rec#n!"c# %, e" e c!reea (#i H#n ing !n, care pr!v!ac% ! degenerare men a(% pr!gre"iv%, ,n"!$i % de ic#ri nerv!a"e )i mi)c%ri "pa"m!dice inv!(#n are* A'ec$i#nea a '!" prima da % de"cri"% ,n ;<ED, de c% re medic#( american Ge!rge H#n ing !n, care a av# c-$iva pacien$i, ,n L!ng I"(and, "#'erind de &i.ara

ma(adie* Unii din re ace) ia apar$inea# #n!r 'ami(ii ra a e de a %( )i re"pec iv &#nic#( (#i H#n ing !n, care '#"e"e medic ac!(! ,nc% din ;@E@* Nep! #( a '!" a" 'e( capa&i( "% " #die.e an eceden e(e pa !(!gice a(e 'ami(iei ,n ca#.%* E( a dem!n" ra c% &!a(a 2 ca#.a % de ! gen% m# an % 2 e7i" a ,n r2! 'ami(ie din B#re", #n "% #c din c!mi a #( &ri anic S#''!(F, care emigra"e pe" e A (an ic ,n ;=>A, " a&i(ind#2"e (a B!" !n* Simp !me(e &!(ii, mai a(e" ce(e de na #r% ne#r!(!gic%, a# re.i "#"pici#nea c!m#ni %$ii )i n#2i de mirare c% &ie$ii &!(navi a# '!" ac#.a$i de p!"e"i#ne dem!nic%, ,n cadr#( 'aim!"#(#i 0pr!ce" a( vra/i !are(!r din Sa(em1, din ;=@D* C!reea (#i H#n ing !n repre.in % #n e7emp(# rar de dereg(are gene ic% per"i" en % de!arece, de)i inc#ra&i(%, apare de !&icei (a ad#($i* 4nain e de a 'i a'ec a$i, ei p! avea c!pii, )i d!ar /#m% a e din re ace) ia "#n pa"i&i(i de a 'ace (a r-nd#( (!r &!a(a* Se c#n!a) e ca.#( #n#i "#'erind a c%r#i m!) enire gene ic% de'ec #!a"% ,i a'ec a"e c!n" an 'ami(ia, de2a (#ng#( a n# mai p#$in de d!#%"pre.ece genera$ii5 Prin re a( e ma(adii gene ice, p!r'iria e" e de #n in ere" apar e, pen r# c% a genera #na din re ce(e mai am%n#n$i e inve" iga$ii medica(e din i" !rie )i de a"emenea pare "% 'i av# #n e'ec inc!n e" a&i( a"#pra c#r"#(#i evenimen e(!r i" !rice* La pr!pri#, den#mirea &!(ii "2ar rad#ce prin 0#rin% r!)ie1 )i "e re'er% (a ce( mai c!m#n "imp !m, mic$i#ni(e de c#(!are p#rp#rie* +ereg(area "#rvine de !&icei ,n a d!#a "a# a reia decad% de via$%, "#& '!rma #n!r a ac#ri "#&i e, ,n"!$i e de d#reri a&d!mina(e )i de c!n" ipa$ie, prec#m )i de #(&#r%ri de !rigine ne#r!(!gic%, d#reri re#ma ice )i pr!&(eme p"i3ice* +a !ri % inve" iga$ii(!r min#$i!a"e a(e d!c !ri(!r Ida Maca(pine )i Ric3ard H#n er, rege(e Ge!rge III a( Marii Bri anii )i Han!vrei a deveni ce( mai c#n!"c# "#'erind de acea" % &!a(%, din !a e imp#ri(e* +e"c!n"idera , ca 0ne&#n1 ,n imp#( vie$ii, pen r# c% ,n r2adev%r, "e pare c% "#'erea de p"i3!.% maniac!2depre"iv%, rege(e e" e c!n"idera a" %.i de c% re m#($i "pecia(i) i ,n medicin% #man% drep ! vic im% a p!r'iriei* Maca(pine )i H#n er a# " a&i(i c% rege(e era a )a"ea genera$ie a'ec a % de ma(adie, p!rnind de (a regina Maria a Sc!$iei* Prin re cei &%n#i$i de medicii &ri anici c% ar 'i "#'eri , de a"emenea, de p!r'irie, "e n#m%r% regina Anna, " r%2 " r%nep!a a Mariei )i c3iar rege(e Crederic I a( Pr#"iei* Pa r# din re 'iii (#i Ge!rge III a# pre.en a "imp !me(e &!(ii, iar a( e d!#% per"!na/e de "-nge rega( c# ace(ea)i "imp !me )i a(e c%r!r n#me a# '!" rec# e "#& an!nima (a cererea e7pre"% a reginei

E(i"a&e a II, r%ia# ,nc%, ,n ;@=A, #n#( de"c3i.-nd din Crederic I, ce(%(a( 'iind #rma)#( "!rei (#i Ge!rge III* Rege(e Ge!rge III, n%"c# ,n ;E>< )i m!r ,n ;<DA, a "#'eri !p p#"ee de &!a(%, !a e de carac er "imi(ar, ,n re ;E=D, c-nd avea DG de ani, )i ;<AG* 4n !c !m&rie ;<;A, e( "2a ,m&!(n%vi iar%)i )i, d#p% d!i ani de e7acer&%ri a(e cri.e(!r )i remi"ii, a '!" c#prin" de ! ne&#nie de'ini iv%* A "'-r)i ne&#n, !r& )i "#rd, (a v-r" a de <; de ani* B!a(a care i2a ca#.a pr!pri#2.i" dece"#( a de&# a ,n /#r#( v-r" ei de ED de ani, )i pr!&a&i( n# avea (eg% #r% c# p!r'iria, ad#c-nd mai m#( c# ! "eni(i a e avan"a % de ip A(.3eimer* A# '!" '%c# e m#( e ,ncerc%ri de a (ega ,,ne&#nia1 rege(#i de ce(e mai n! a&i(e evenimen e a(e g#vern%rii "a(e, pierderea c!(!nii(!r &ri anice din America )i na) erea S a e(!r Uni e* Inc!n e" a&i(, Ge!rge III a '!" #n m!nar3 ,nc%p%$-na )i c!n2 "erva !r, n# '!ar e in e(igen )i ! a( (ip"i de imagina$ieH mai m#( , a av# pr!a" a in"pira$ie de a2; "pri/ini pe premier#( &ri anic, (!rd#( N!r 3, ,n pr!v!c%ri(e ce a# d#" (a i.&#cnirea Rev!(#$iei americane, ,n ;EE?* +ar e( n# a d!vedi , ,n peri!ade(e din re cri.e(e de ne&#nie, nici #n "emn c% ar 'i av# min$i(e r% %ci e* Era ! 'ire v!r&%rea$%, de"c3i"%, ga a !ric-nd "% p#n% ,n re&%ri c!pi(%re) i, prec#m 0C#m ! 'i a/#n" m%r#( a" a ,n a(#a I1, mai pa"i!na de mecani"me(e cea"!rnice(!r dec- de ar a g#vern%rii* C# !a e ace" ea, c- a '!" "%n% !", a d!mni c# ,n$e(epci#ne )i c3iar c# !arecare 'ermi a e, ) iind "% "e 'ac% re"pec a de "#p#)ii "%i* 4ncep-nd c# ;E=D, e( n# va mai "#'eri nici #n a ac p-n% ,n ian#arie ;E==, da % (a care a av# #n#(, c# ! d#ra % de c- eva "%p %m-ni* +in n!#, "imp !me(e ne&#niei a# di"p%r# ap!i, p-n% ,n i#(ie ;E<<, Prin #rmare, c#m ,n in erva(#( de imp de pe" e d!#% decenii, ,n re ;E== )i ;E<<, n# p# em v!r&i de"pre vre! cri.% de ne&#nie, ar 'i a&"#rd "% p#nem pierderea c!(!nii(!r americane, ,n #rma r%.&!i#(#i din re ;EE?2;E<;, pe "eama p!r'iriei de care "#veran#( "#'erea* P!(i ica gre)i % a rege(#i, /#deca a (#i pripi %, p! "% 'i precipi a cri.a, iar cer&icia "a pr!ver&ia(% a '!" , de"ig#r, de na #r% "% aprind% )i mai are "piri e(e, dar gre)e(i(e "a(e a# '!" ,mp%r %)i e de mini) rii ca&ine #(#i de (a L!ndra, de ma/!ri a ea dep# a$i(!r din Camera C!m#ne(!r )i de ! mare par e a !piniei p#&(ice eng(e.e* Mai c#r-nd am p# ea "p#ne c% ,n privin$a Ir(andei, n# a Americii, "2a mani'e" a c# prec%dere ma(adia rege(#i Ge!rge* +e2a (#ng#( veac#(#i 6VIII, c!(!ni) ii pr! e" an$i )i (!ca(nicii ca !(ici r%i"er% ,n &#n% ,n$e(egere, de)i ca !(ici(!r n#

(i "e permi ea acce"#( ,n Par(amen #( ir(ande.* 4n #( imii ani ai "ec!(#(#i ,n"%, Cran$a rep#&(ican% "2a !'eri "a e(i&ere.e Ir(anda de "#& 0/#g#( iranic1 a( m!nar3iei eng(e.e )i a " im#(a dec(an)area #nei rev!( e de pr!p!r$ii a ca !(ici(!r ir(ande.i, ,n ;E@<, c-nd ace) ia a# ,ncerca "% pr!c(ame 0Rep#&(ica Ce( ic%1, pr!d#" p!(i ic &i.ar, p#" "#& c!nd#cerea*** pre!$i(!r5 +#p% ce r%.meri$a a '!" reprima % c# &r# a(i a e de c% re r#pe(e eng(e.e, a/# a e de pr! e" an$ii ir(ande.i, premier#( Bi((iam Pi a deci" "% p#n% ce(e d!#% in"#(e &ri anice "#& /#ri"dic$ia #n#i par(amen #nic, ,n r#ni (a Be" min" er, ,n "peran$a c% acea" % m%"#r% va !'eri "peran$a re" a#r%rii p%cii )i !rdinii* E( a !&(iga Par(amen #( ir(ande. "% "e a# !2di.!(ve )i "% dec(are #ni#nea c# Marea Bri anie, ,n ;<AA, '%c-nd pr!mi"i#nea c% ,n n!#( !rgani"m (egi"(a iv ,)i v!r g%"i (!c )i ca !(icii ir(ande.i* C# a( e c#vin e, a&i(#( !m p!(i ic a ,n(e"ni a" 'e( emanciparea ca !(ici(!r, pen r# a2i c-) iga de par ea "a* +ar Pi a !mi" "%2( in'!rme.e de"pre in en$ii(e "a(e )i pe &% r-n#( rege, care "e c!n"idera 0ap%r% !r#( adev%ra ei credin$e pr!" e" an e1* C-nd L!rd#( Cance(ar i2a a ra" a en$ia "#veran#(#i a"#pra pr!p#nerii (#i Pi , rege(e Ge!rge "2a ,n'#ria , a re"pin" imedia ini$ia iva, iar premier#( )i2a pre.en a demi"ia* Jece .i(e mai -r.i#, ,n 'e&r#arie ;<A;, m!nar3#( a "#'eri #n a( a ac de p!r'irie, ,n"!$i de grave #(&#r%rii min a(e* Ki2a reveni a&ia ,n mar ie )i Pi i2a pr!mi" c% nici!da % n#i va mai v!r&i de"pre emanciparea ca !(ici(!r* 0Ac#m min ea mea p!a e ,n "'-r)i "% "e !di3nea"c%1, ar 'i r%"p#n" rege(e* A" 'e(, pen r# a n# mai pri(e/#i " %ri de ,nc!rdare a#g#" #(#i creier, )i a)a a'ec a de &!a(%, pr!&(ema emancip%rii ca !(ice a '!" p#"% (a inde7 pen r# #rm% !are(e rei decenii* Ac#m, (ip"ind#2i ingredien #( principa(, "c3ema ingeni!a"% n%"c!ci % de Ci pen r# paci'icarea Ir(andei "2a v%.# e7p#"% e)ec#(#i* Uni#nea c# Ang(ia n# a ,n"emna , pen r# ca !(icii ir(ande.i, dec- d!mina$ia #nei na$i#ni " r%ine )i !pre"ive, de re(igie di'eri %* Ki n# gre)im a'irm-nd c% )i p!'iria p!a e 'i &(ama % pen r# #(&#r%ri(e "#rveni e ,n Ir(anda, ,n "ec!(e(e 6I6 "i 66* R!(#( 'a idic pe care regina Vic !ria (2a de$in# ,n i" !rie a '!" "% ran"mi % ! dereg(are gene ic% e7 rem de rar%, n#mi % 3em!'i(ie, #n!ra din re de"cenden$ii ei* Una din re carac eri" ici(e &i.are a(e ace" ei ma(adii e" e c%, de)i 'emei(e repre.in % e(emen #( care ! ran"mi e, e(e n# "#n a'ec a e de(!c, ,n "c3im& &!a(a e" e 'a a(%

#rma)i(!r (!r de "e7 ma"c#(in* Nici m%car #n a % a'ec a de 3em!'i(ie n# ! p!a e ran"mi e 'i#(#i "%#* O 'emeie p!a e "#'eri de 3em!'i(ie d!ar dac% mama "a e" e p#r % !are a &!(ii, iar a %( e" e 3em!'i(iac* B!a(a pr!pri#2.i"% "e mani'e" % prin imp!"i&i(i a ea "-nge(#i de a "e mai c!ag#(a, ceea ce 'ace ca ! c- de mic% %ie #r% "% p!a % 'i 'a a(% pacien #(#i* Acea" % an!ma(ie a '!" !&"erva % c# m#( e veac#ri ,n #rm% prin re p!p!are, prec#m evreii, care prac ica# circ#mci.ia* Prima de"criere preci"% da ea.% ,n"% a&ia din ;<A>, ea 'iind '%c# % de d!c !r#( american L!3n C* O !, care "cria: 04n an#mi e 'ami(ii e7i" % ! predi"p!.i$ie pen r# dec(an)area de 3em!ragii* E" e ! circ#m" an$% ci#da % 'ap #( c% d!ar &%r&a$ii par "% 'ie vi.a$i de acea" % a'ec$i#ne* Ki ! #)i, de)i 'emei(e n# "#n a'ec a e de &!a(%, e(e ! p! ran"mi e 'e$i(!r de "e7 ma"c#(in pe care ,i na"c1* +e vin% e" e (ip"a #nei pr! eine din (im'a "angvin%, care e" e e"en$ia(% pen r# pr!d#cerea c!ag#(%rii* 4n imp ce (a #n !m n!rma(, ! ran% ,nce ea.% "% mai "-ngere.e d#p% ce( m#( #n "'er de !r%, ,n ca.#( #n#i 3em!'i(iac, imp#( e" e mai mare, p# -nd a/#nge c3iar (a c- eva !re5 A" 'e(, "#'erin.ii de acea" % ma(adie "e a'(% ,n r2#n peric!( permanen * O ran% ne,n"emna %, &ana(% pen r# !rice !m, (!r (e p!a e amenin$a via$a* O /#(i #r% "#per'icia(% (e pr!v!ac% d#reri imen"e, din ca#.a "-nge(#i din " ra #ri(e in'eri!are a(e pie(ii, a'ec a e ,n mic% m%"#r%, care inde "%2)i cr!ia"c% dr#m "pre "#pra'a$%* A"emenea "-nger%ri 0,n in eri!r1 "#n de!"e&i de peric#(!a"e, pen r# c% medicii (e p! ra a d!ar pr!v!c-nd $e"# #ri(!r v% %ma e r%ni de"c3i"e, "pre a 'av!ri.a e(iminarea "-nge(#i* 4n ca.#( care ne in ere"ea.%, "e pare c% gena m# an % ,)i are !riginea ,n !rgani"m#( reginei Vic !ria "a# p!a e a( mamei "a(e, d#ce"a de Men , care n# a av# a($i c!pii ,n a'ara vii !arei "#verane* N# "e c#n!"c ca.#ri de 3em!'i(ie ,n 'ami(ia rega(% &ri anic% "a# ,n ram#ra de Sa7a2C!&#rg2Saa('e(d, din care pr!venea d#ce"a* Se ) ie ,n"% c# cer i #dine c% #n#( din re cei pa r# 'ii ai Vic !riei, prin$#( Le!p!(d, a m#ri de 3em!'i(ie* +in re ce(e cinci 'iice, d!#% a# ran"mi" 3em!'i(ia 'ii(!r "a# nep!$i(!r (!r* Ca.#( ce( mai ragic e" e a( me.inei, prin$e"a Bea rice, care "2a c%"% !ri c# prin$#( Hernic de Ba en&erg* Am&ii &%ie$i pr!veni$i din ace" maria/ a# m#ri de 3em!'i(ie* O 'iic%, Ena, (2a (#a ,n c%"% !rie pe rege(e Spaniei, A('!n"! 6III, d!i din re c!piii (!r, m#rind ! din ca#.a ace" ei &!(i, ,n e a e de DA, re"pec iv >; de ani* Acea" % i" !rie m!r&id% e" e ipic% 'ami(ii(!r a'ec a e de 3em!'i(ie )i, c#m nici #n " r%m!) a( reginei

Vic !ria n# a "#'eri de &!a(%, nici din par ea mamei, )i nici a a %(#i, i" !ricii "e ,n rea&%, pe &#n% drep a e, dac% n# c#mva m%rea$a "#veran% n# a '!" c#mva r!d#( #nei (eg% #ri e7 rac!n/#ga(e a mamei "a(e* C# a( e c#vin e, a '!" ea 'iica na #ra(% a d#ce(#i de Men , "a# a av# #n a( p%rin eI 4n ci#da a"em%n%rii 'i.ice c# d#ce(e )i c# a %( ace" #ia, Ge!rge III, )i a p!"i&i(i %$ii ca m# a$ia gene ic% "% 'i "#rveni "p!n an 8a)a c#m "e ,n -mp(% ,n apr!ape #n "'er din ca.#ri(e de 3em!'i(ie c#n!"c# e9, ! #rm% de d#&i# a"#pra pa erni %$ii ei per"i" % ,nc%*** A( rei(ea c!pi( a( Vic !riei )i a d!#a 'iic%, A(ice, "2a n%"c# ,n ;<G> )i va deveni "!$ia (#i L#d!vic IV, Mare +#ce de He""e2+arm" ad * C#p(#( a av# d!i c!pii, din re care #n#( a m#ri de 3em!'i(ie (a n#mai rei ani* +in re ce(e cinci 'iice, cea mai -n%r% r%ma"% ,n via$%, A(i7, "2a c%"% !ri c# $ar#( Nic!(ae II, a# !cra #( " %p-ni !r a( # #r!r r#)i(!r, ad#c-nd a" 'e( c#mp(i a &!a(% ,n 'ami(ia R!man!vi(!r* A(i7, "a# pe n#me(e ei de &! e. A(ice Vic !ria L!#i"e Bea rice, prin$e"% de He""e2+arm" ad , "2a n%"c# (a +arm" ad , pe = i#nie ;<ED* La v-r" a de )a"e ani, )i2a pierd# mama )i "!ra mai mic%, din ca#.a #nei epidemii de di' erie* Cami(ia ! vi.i a c# reg#(ari a e pe 0&#nic#$a Vic !ria1, ce( p#$in ! da a pe an* +#p% m!ar ea 'iicei "a(e, "#verana &ri anic% a ,ncep# "%2( c!n"idere pe -n%r#( v%d#v ca pe pr!pri#( ei 'i# )i vi.i e(e a# deveni ! mai de"e* Cre"c-nd, A(i7 a deveni ! -n%r% 'ermec% !are, c# p%r#( a#ri# )i !c3i a(&a) ri, dar '!ar e imid% )i re ra"%* +e)i n# avea ! in e(igen$% ie)i % din c!m#n, a '!" ! #)i ! e(ev% "-rg#inci!a"%, d!vedind ,n ad!(e"cen$% ap i #dini pen r# i" !rie, ge!gra'ie, (i era #r% )i m#.ic%* +e a"emenea, mani'e" a in ere" pen r# medicin%* Idea(#ri(e "peci'ice ep!cii vic !riene, m#nca a"id#%, di"cip(ina )i credin$a a# '!" "(#/i e de 'r#m!a"a prin$e"% de2a (#ng#( ,n regii "a(e vie$i .&#ci#ma e* Ea a deveni ! p#ri an% de"%v-r)i %, 0d!amna1 vic !rian% ipic%, !&"eda %, ,n "ecre , de "e7, dar ra -nd, ,n di"c#$ii(e c# cei(a($i, ace" "#&iec c# de.g#" * +e ! imidi a e pa !(!gic%, era (ip"i % de )arm, ca(i a ea e"en$ia(% a #n#i "#veran* P#$ini !ameni ! c#n!) ea# c# adev%ra , dar pen r# ace) ia ea era mere# 0" r%(#ci !area A(i71, n#me(e 'iind #n ri&# ad#" p%r#(#i "%# a#ri# )i !c3i(!r "c-n eie !ri* 4n ;<<G, acea" % prin$e"% ,n v-r" % de d!ar ;D ani, '%c-nd par e din r2! min!r% 'ami(ie princiar%, a c%(% !ri pen r# prima !ar% (a c#r ea ce(#i mai ,n in" imperi# a(

vremii, c# !ca.ia c%"% !riei "!rei "a(e mai mari c# Mare(e +#ce Serg3ei, 'ra e(e $ar#(#i A(e7andr# III* Aici, -n%ra a '%c# c#n! iin% c# arevici#( Nic!(ae, 'i#( "#veran#(#i r#", #n /#ne c# d!ar pa r# ani mai mare dec- ea* +e c#m "2a# v%.# , ,n re cei d!i "2a ivi ! '#(ger% !are drag!" e (a prima vedere* +ac% A(i7 avea pr!&(eme(e gene ice de"pre care am di"c# a , nici Nic!(ae n# era (ip"i de a" 'e( de pr!&(eme* Originea neca.#ri(!r "a(e c!n" a ,n 0prim#( 'ac !r eredi ar1 c!n" a a de Mende(* Ta %( $arevici#(#i, A(e7andr# III, era #n #ria) ,na( de apr!ape d!i me ri )i de ! '!r$% 'i.ic% imen"%* 4nd!ia ,n re dege e, ,n /!ac%, m!ne.i de argin )i ,n imp#( #n#i acciden , "#"$in#"e pe #meri ac!peri)#( #n#i vag!n de ren pr%&#)i p-n% ce mem&rii 'ami(iei "a(e p# #"er% "% ia"% din vag!n#( avaria * C-nd am&a"ad!r#( a#" riac ,( an#n$a"e, ,n c#r"#( #n#i de/#n de (#cr#, c% $ara "a in en$i!nea.% "% ma"e.e d!#% divi.ii (a grani$a c# R#"ia, $ar#( "e ,n'#ria"e )i, (#-nd ! '#rc#(i$% din argin ma"iv, ! ,nn!da"e, p#r )i "imp(#, )i i2! ar#nca"e ,n 'a$a dip(!ma #(#i ! a( (ip"i de ac , " rig-nd#2i: 0Ia % ce 'ac e# c# divi.ii(e v!a" re51 Ace" !m, p# ernic ca #n a#r, de)i cam gre# de cap, "e c%"% !ri"e c# ! 'emeie mign!n%, ,n"% av-nd #n carac er de '(er* Nic!(ae, 'i#( (!r, a m!) eni n# d!ar " a #ra, dar )i 'armec#( mamei "a(e* Spiri #a(, vi ea., pa"i!na de "p!r , dar )i imid )i e.i an , in e(igen , ,n"% (%"-nd#2"e diri/a de per"!na(i %$i(e p# ernice din /#r#( "%#, Nic!(ae n# m%"#ra, (a ma #ri a e, dec- ;,?A m, ap%r-nd (a recep$ii ca #n pi ic prin re 0gigan$ii1 din 'ami(ia R!man!v* Regina Vic !ria a "pri/ini c# drag!" e idi(a -n%r#(#i c#p(#, pen r# c% ,n 'e(#( ace" a in #ia p!"i&i(i a ea #n#i maria/ " r%(#ci pe r# " r%nep!a a ei 'av!ri %* +ar re(a$ia de drag!" e din re Nic!(ae )i A(i7 n# era privi % c# !c3i &#ni de c% re $ar )i $arina, am&ii pr!'#nd german!'!&i* Pe de a( % par e, ! even #a(% vii !are $arin% a # #r!r r#)i(!r re&#ia "% 'ie de re(igie !r !d!7%, iar A(i7 "e ar% a"e ! (# eran% 'erven %* A"c#( % !r#( d#ce Nic!(ae n! a ,n /#rna(#( "%#: 0+e m#( % vreme ,ncerc "% re.i" "en imen e(!r ce m% anim%, )i ca# "% m% c!nving c% vi"#( ce( mai "c#mp e" e d!ar ! de)er %ci#ne, c% n# "e va ,ndep(ini nici!da %1* Ki ! #)i, ace" vi" va prinde c!n #r, pe" e nici d!i ani* 4n apri(ie ;<@G, $ar#( "2a ,m&!(n%vi "eri!" de ! a'ec$i#ne a 'ica #(#i )i prin #rmare c%"% !ria 'i#(#i "%# a deveni ! c3e" i#ne de imp!r an$% vi a(% pen r#

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" a * C#m Nic!(ae nici n# v!ia "% a#d% de ! a( % pre enden %, ,n a'ar% de A(i7, p%rin$ii "%i a# '!" nev!i$i "% "e "#p#n% d!rin$ei "a(e* +ec(in#( (#i A(e7andr# a '!" rapid* 4n !c !m&rie, era c(ar c% $ar#( "e a'(a de/a ,n prag#( m!r$ii* C!nv!ca % rapid, A(i7 a a/#n" (a Livadia, re)edin$a de var% a "#verani(!r r#)i din Crimeea, pe D> !c !m&rie, iar cerem!nia a&dic%rii (#i A(e7andr# a av# (!c c3iar ,n d!rmi !r#( #nde ace" a .%cea* Tipicar p-n% )i pe pa #( de m!ar e, $ar#( a in"i" a "% 'ie ,m&r%ca ,n c!" #m#( de cerem!nie, pen r# acea" % !ca.ie de!"e&i %* Pe D< !c !m&rie, A(i7 n! a ,n /#rna(#( (#i Nic!(ae, ca ! pr!'e ic% vi.i#ne a"#pra vii !r#(#i: 0+rag% c!pi(e, a a d#(ce S#nnN "e r!ag% pen r# ine )i pen r# i#&i #( %# a %* Cii 'erm )i !rd!n%2(e medici(!r "%2$i dea rap!r #( a"#pra "%n% %$ii pacien #(#i, ,n a)a 'e( ,nc- # "% 'ii prim#( care "% a'(e !rice m!di'icare ar "#rveni ,n ev!(#$ia ei* +em!n" rea.% c% e) i p# ernic )i n# (e da nicic-nd ce(!r(a($i m! ive "% #i e cine e) i1* Pe ; n!iem&rie ;<@G, a ! p# ernic#( a# !cra A(e7andr# III m#rea, (a v-r" a de G@ de ani, iar 'i#( "%#, Nic!(ae, ,n v-r" % de D= de ani, #rca pe r!n#( R#"iei* Trecerea inerei prin$e"e (# erane (a !r !d!7i"m, "#& n#me(e de A(e7andra Ce!d!r!vna, )i c%"% !ria ei c# Nic!(ae a# av# (!c pe D= n!iem&rie, ,n r2! a m!"'er% "#m&r%* Nic!(ae, prin" c# re&#ri(e de " a , n# )i2a p# # ac!rda ! (#n% de miere* +ar "c!p#( prim!rda( a( #n#i maria/ rega(, indi'eren c% e( era r!d#( #nei i#&iri p#re "a# d!ar a( #n#i ca(c#( p!(i ic, re&#ia "% 'ie ,ndep(ini )i din ace" p#nc de vedere, A(e7andra )i2a '%c# din p(in da !ria 'a$% de pa ria ei ad!p iv%* Prim#( ei c!pi( a veni pe (#me ,n !c !m&rie ;<@?, iar a($i rei avea# "% #rme.e, p-n% ,n ;@A;* +ar c# 'iecare na) ere, de.am%girea $ar#(#i cre) ea, 'iindc% nici #n#( din re cei2pa r# pr#nci n# era &%ia * 4n 'ine, pe ;D a#g#" ;@AG, ,n mi/(!c#( de.a" r#!"#(#i c!n'(ic r#"!2/ap!ne., #n#ri(e din Pe r!grad 8ac #a(#( SanF Pe er"&#rg9 ve" ea# (#mii, prin &#&#i #( (!r grav, #n evenimen care, mai m#( ca !ricare a( #(, va "c3im&a c#r"#( i" !riei R#"iei* 4n acea" % .i "2a n%"c# ne'erici #( A(e7ei, "ing#r#( 'i# a( $ar#(#i )i m!) eni !r#( de "e7 &%r&% e"c, a - de d!ri , 'i# care, ! da % c# ,n reaga "#'(are r#"ea"c% )i c# ne"'-r)i e(e $in# #ri a(e imperi#(#i, primea, drep m!) enire, )i c#mp(i a &!a(% n#mi % 3em!'i(ie* Prim#( "emn a( &!(ii a ap%r# c-nd &e&e(#)#( n# ,mp(ini"e ,nc% )a"e "%p %m-ni, "#& '!rma #nei "-ngerari !m&i(ica(e* C!ar e c#r-nd, apari$ia #n!r /#(i #ri pe pie(ea mic#$#(#i, "#rveni e 'ie ,n imp ce "e /#ca, 'ie c3iar c-nd "e -ra pe c!v!are(e pa(a #(#i,

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a# c!n'irma diagn!" ic#(* A(e7andra, ! mam% p!"e"iv% )i i#&i !are, era di" r#"% (a g-nd#( c% ea ,i ran"mi"e"e c!pi(#(#i c#mp(i a &!a(%* Ve" ea c% A(e7ei e" e 3em!'i(ic a repre.en a pen r# ea #n )!c din care n# )i2a mai reveni nici!da % pe dep(in* N#mai ! mama a #n#i a" 'e( de c!pi( p!a e ,n$e(ege c3in#ri(e prin care dev! a a A(e7andra a rec# , "c#'#nd-nd#2"e ,n r2! (#me de %cere )i ,n #neric* L#i A(e7ei, ce #rma "% devin% ,n r2! .i $ar, nimeni n# re&#ia "%2i "p#n% adev%r#( de"pre &!a(a de care "#'erea, d#p% c#m nimeni, ,n a'ara medici(!r C#r$ii, n# re&#ia "% ) ie ace" adev%r* Ace" a e" e m! iv#( pen r# care 'ami(ia rega(% "2a re ra", ,n rec(#.i#nea de ia Oar"F!e Se(!, d#c-nd ! via$% ipic &#rg3e.%, ,n mi/(!c#( #n#i an #ra/ re" r-n"* 4n m#( e privin$e, A(e7andra "em%na &#nicii "a(e, Vic !ria* Ea )i2a a"c#n" ri" e$ea )i di"perarea (a Oar"F!e Se(! a)a c#m Vic !ria a '%c# (a Bind"!r, c-nd i#&i #( ei "!$, A(&er , a rec# ,n (#mea drep$i(!r* +e)i per"!na(i %$i d!minan e, ce(e d!#% "#verane "im$ea# nev!ia #n#i "pri/in p# ernic )i am&e(e (2a# g%"i ,n !ameni din p% #ri(e de /!" a(e "!cie %$ii* Iar dac% Vic !ria i2a av# a(% #ri pe L!3n Br!Pn )i pe M#n"3i, A(e7andra "2a "im$i !cr! i % de #n m#/ic r#", ana('a&e )i a(c!!(ic* Ace" e ,n" r%in%ri de (#me a# da ,n"% na) ere (a ! "!i#( de .v!n#ri* La L!ndra, "e &-r'ea c% Vic !ria ar 'i ,nne&#ni , ca )i &#nic#( "%#, rege(e Ge!rge III, ,n vreme ce ,na( a "!cie a e pe er"2&#rg3e.% v!r&ea c% $arevici#( n# e" e pre.en a ,n p#&(ic 'iindc% ar "#'eri de epi(ep"ie )i de idi!$ie c!ngeni a(%* Oar#( n# ,ncerca "% c#rme ace" e .v!n#ri, c%ci &%ia #( "#'erind de 3em!'i(ie era "ing#r#( #rma) (a r!n )i !pinia p#&(ic% n# re&#ia "% ) ie adev%r#( ,n privin$a "a* +ar a ! p# ernic#( "#veran, ce avea drep de via$% )i de m!ar e a"#pra a .eci de mi(i!ane de "#p#)i, era nep# inci!" ,n 'a$a &!(ii* La 'e( era# )i medicii )i c#r enii* R#g%ci#ni(e '%c# e ,n cape(a rega(% r%m%"e"er% '%r% r%"p#n", (a 'e( )i pe(erina/e(e (a m!a) e(e "'in$i(!r !r !d!c)i* +ar +#mne.e# n#2)i p# ea ,n !arce 'a$a de'ini iv de (a ! per"!an% care, prec#m A(e7andra, ,i imp(!ra a/# !r#( c# a - a credin$% )i #mi(in$%* Undeva re&#ia "% e7i" e cineva, "#'icien de p#r )i p# ernic, din p#nc de vedere "piri #a(, ,n"%rcina de Crea !r "%2( "a(ve.e pe 'ragi(#( A(e7ei* C#m ! a"emenea '%p #r% era d!ri % c# a - a ard!are, apari$ia "a a deveni inevi a&i(%* Ki d!ar ,n -mp(area a '%c# ca ea "% "e n#mea"c% Ra"p# in, ,,!m#( "'-n 1 veni din ne"'-r)i e(e ,n inderi "i&eriene***

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4n i#(ie ;@AE, A(e7ei .%cea (a pa de rei .i(e, 'iind pe p#nc #( de a m#ri* C#prin"% de di"perare, $arina a ape(a (a Ra"p# in, care2i '#"e"e rec!manda de prie ena ei in im%, Anna Vir#&!va* S%(&a ic#( c%(#g%r, a c%r#i ,n'%$i)are era de a/#n" "pre a2i c# rem#ra pe !$i, "2a a)e.a pe pa #( arevici#(#i, i2a " r-n" pa(ma mic#$% ,n re pa(me(e (#i #ria)e )i a ,ncep# "%2i p!ve" ea"c% vec3i blne r#"e) i* 4n .i#a #rm% !are, d#reri(e (#i A(e7ei ,nce a"er% ca prin 'armec )i &%ia #( p# ea c3iar "% " ea ,n pici!are* O 0vindecare1 emp!rar%, prin ace" ra amen &i.ar e" e '!ar e p!"i&i(%, ea p# -nd 'i e7p(ica % ,n"% n# n#mai prin p# eri(e &i!energe ice ie)i e din c!m#n a(e (#i Ra"p# in, ci )i prin !di3n% pre(#ngi % de care a &ene'icia &!(nav#(* Urm% !r#( inciden "e ,ncadrea.% ,n r2! ca eg!rie c# ! #( apar e, ,n "ep em&rie ;@;D, c-nd A(e7ei avea !p ani, 'ami(ia imperia(% a '%c# ! vi.i % (a Bia(!Pie.a, ,n P!(!nia Orien a(%* B%ia #( "2a r%ni , "%rind din r2! &arc% )i "2a a(e" c# ! /#(i #r% mare, pe par ea "#peri!ar% a c!ap"ei " -ngi* E( a ,ncep# "a"e p(-ng% de d#reri a r!ce, iar d!c !r#( 'ami(iei, E#gen B! Fin, i2a pre"cri" "% " ea (a pa pen r# c- eva .i(e* +#p% d!#% "%p %m-ni, c-nd A(e7ei p%rea "%2)i 'i reveni , 'ami(ia $ar#(#i "2a m# a (a Spa(a, ! ca&an% de v-n% !are "i #a % ,n ad-nc#( p%d#rii* Oarevici#( n# "e "im$ea de(!c ,n (arg#( "%# ,n ace(e ,mpre/#rimi "#m&re, era pa(id )i ne'erici * A(e7andra a '!" de p%rere c% ! c%(% !rie c# r%"#ra ,i va 'ace &ine, dar dr#m#ri(e era# pr!a" e, iar r!$i(e a e(a/#(#i i2a# 3#rd#ca .drav%n pe cei d!i pa"ageri* +#p% c-$iva Fi(!me ri, A(e7ei a ,ncep# "% "e p(-ng% de d#reri "'-)ie !are ,n c!ap"% )i ,n par ea in'eri!ar% a a&d!men#(#i* 4ngr!.i %, mama "a i2a !rd!na vi.i i#(#i "% ,n !arc% imedia "pre ca&an%* C%(% !ria "2a ran"'!rma ,n r2#n c!)mar* Era eviden c% A(e7ei re&#ia p#" cmai gra&nic c# p# in$% (a pa , "#& "#praveg3ere medica(%, dar !rice acce(erare a vi e.ei cai(!r ,( '%cea pe &ie #( &%ia "% #r(e de d#rere* C-nd a# a/#n" (a Spa(a, de/a $arevici#( era apr!ape inc!n) ien * +ar ce "e ,n -mp(a"e, de 'ap I A #nci c-nd c%.#"e din &arc%, ,n #rm% c# d!#% "%p %m-ni, A(e7ei "e (!vi"e "eri!" ,n pa(e a #neia din re v-"(e, dar /#(i #ra aparen &ana(% de (a "#pra'a$a pie(ii ,i ind#"e"e ,n er!are pe d!c !ri* S#& " ra #ri(e "#per'icia(e a(e pie(ii av#"e"e (!c ,n"% "ec$i!narea #n#i va" de "-nge de" #( de mare, "i #a 'ie ,n par ea "#peri!ar% a c!ap"ei, 'ie ,n pere e(e a&d!men#(#i ,n regi#nea in'eri!ar%* S-ngerarea '#"e"e red#"%, a - a vreme c- $arevici#( "e a'(a"e ,n repa#"* H#rd#c% #ri(e

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r%"#rii n# d!ar c% pr!v!ca"er% ! n!#% 3em!ragie, dar pr!&a&i( c% amp(i'ica"er% )i r#p #ra va"#(#i de "-nge a'ec a * Nimic n# p# ea !pri 3em!ragia* Timp de #n"pre.ece .i(e, A(e7ei a pend#(a ,n re via$% )i m!ar e, v(%g#i de "-nge, c# 'e&r% ridica %, c3in#i de d#reri* 4n !a % acea" % peri!ad%, $arina n# "2a mi)ca de (a c%p% -i#( (#i, '#r-nd c-nd )i c-nd c- eva min# e de "!mn pe ! "!'a din ,nc%pere* 4n ce(e din #rm%, d!c !r#( Ce!d!r!v (2a an#n$a pe $ar c% re&#ie "%2)i preg% ea"c% p!p!r#( pen r# c#mp(i a pierdere a m!) eni !r#(#i r!n#(#i* A# '!" !rd!na e r#g%ci#ni ,n !a e &i"erici(e din $ar%, a# '!" emi"e &#(e ine medica(e, dar adev%ra a na #r% a &!(ii de care "#'erea m!) eni !r#( r!n#(#i n# a '!" "peci'ica %* Pe ;A !c !m&rie, pre!$ii i2a# admini" ra &!(nav#(#i #( ima ,mp%r %)anie )i ,n aceea)i .i, a '!" da p#&(ici %$ii #n &#(e in medica( care "%2( precead% pe ce( de dece"* 4n n!ap ea aceea, A(e7andra a deci" "% ape(e.e din n!# (a Ra"p# in, !m#( a c%r#i p# ere ! 'a"cina"e* 0Om#( "'-n 1 "e ,n !r"e"e ,n Si&eria )i n# p# ea 'i c!n ac a dec- prin e(egra'* 4n (!c "% "e ar#nce ,n prim#( ren, "pre a veni ,n a/# !r $arevici#(#i, e( a e(egra'ia #rm% !r#( me"a/: 0+#mne.e# a v%.# (acrimi(e a(e )i $i2a a#.i r#g%ci#ni(e* N# e mai /e(i* Mic#$#( n# va m#ri* +!ar n#2i mai (%"a pe medici "%2( mai "-c-ie c# (eac#ri(e (!r1* C!inciden$% "a# n#, (a p#$in imp d#p% primirea ace" #i me"a/, 3em!ragia $arevici#(#i "2a !pri * N# e7i" % nici #n d#&i# c% p!ve" ea e" e adev%ra %, de)i vindecarea mic#(#i pacien p!a e 'i c!n"idera % de d!meni#( mirac!(#(#i* S% ne mai ,nd!im c%, d#p% acea" % 0min#ne1, $arina a '!" c!nvin"% c% deprava #( c%(#g%r era 0#n"#( (#i +#mne.e#1I Pen r# ea, indi'eren ce "p#nea (#mea, Ra"p# in r%m-nea ce( care cer#"e divini %$ii via$a mic#(#i prin$, iar r#ga ,i '#"e"e a"c#( a %* Ki, pen r# c% +#mne.e# ,i a"c#( a r#g%ci#ni(e, era (!gic ca Ra"p# in, de"pre a(e c%r#i !rgii )i &e$ii v#ia Pe r!grad#(, "% 'ie de 'ap #n !m &#n, iar cei care ,( &-r'ea# "e '%cea# #ne( e(e Sa anei* O (!gic% mai &#n%, pen r# ! mir!n!"i$% cre"c# % ,n "piri #( vic !rian nici n# "e p#$ea*** +e"pre &i.ar#( Grig!ri E' im!vici, mai c#n!"c# "#& n#me(e de Ra"p# in, a# '!" "cri"e nen#m%ra e c%r$i )i ar ic!(e, )i ! #)i e( c!n in#% "% r%m-n% #n mi" er* Ne v!m re'eri aici " ric (a re(a$ia "a c# $arina "i $arevici#(, )i (a e'ec #( pe care vra/a

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e7erci a % de e( a"#pra A(e7andrei a av# 2! a"#pra de" ine(!r R#"iei* Ra"p# in, n%"c# ,n "% #c#( "i&erian P!Fr!v"F!ie, #ndeva ,n re ;<=A )i ;<=?, )i2a '%c# pen r# prima da % apari$ia ,n Pe r!grad ,n ;@A>* Pe ; n!iem&rie ;@A?, $ar#( ,)i n! a ,n /#rna(#( "%# per"!na(: ,,Am ,n -(ni a" %.i #n !m a( (#i +#mne.e#, Grig!ri, din pr!vincia T!&!("F1* 0Neg3i!&ii "'in$i1, pre.ic% !rii )i m!n" r#!.i %$i(e '%c#"er% ,n ! dea#na par e din r# ina C#r$ii $ari" e* Ra"p# in n# era prim#( 0'%c% !r de min#ni1 care c%# a "% in re ,n cerc#( " r-m a( 'ami(iei imperia(e* A(e7andra, di"pera % "% ai&% #n pr#nc de "e7 ma"c#(in, '#"e"e a - de in'(#en$a % de #n )ar(a an pe n#me P3i(ippe Ni.ier2Vac3! , care "e pre indea a 'i medic, ,nc- a de.v!( a ! "arcin% 'a("%5 Ra"p# in vi.i a rar 'ami(ia $ar#(#i, pr!&a&i( de cinci2)a"e !ri pe an, dar &#n%v!in$a c# care era primi (a Oar"F!e Se(!, in imi a ea pe care ! v%dea 'a$% de ari" !cra e(e r#"e )i p# ernicii ind#" ria)i imperi#(#i )i ,n prim#( r-nd c!mp!r amen #( "%# (i&er in, !a e re'(ec a e ,n pre"% 8e(i&era % de p!vara cen.#rii d#p% ;@A?9 i2a# a(arma pe m#($i (ideri re"p!n"a&i(i din R#"ia* Ca #n#( din re p#$inii in r#)i accep a$i ,n cerc#( imperia( de (a Oar"F!e Se(!, Ra"p# in ar 'i '!" de"ig#r de mare '!(!" !ric#i ar 'i d!ri "% in'(#en$e.e p!(i ica g#vern#(#i r#"* E" e gre# de cre.# c% e( ,i "e(ec a c#mva pe cei c# care venea ,n c!n ac , iar ace" a e" e #n#( din re ce(e mai de.a" r#!a"e a"pec e a(e a"cenden #(#i de$in# a"#pra 'ami(iei $ari" e* +ar, c3iar )i ,n .i(e(e c-nd, c!n) ien "a# n#, Ra"p# in di" r#gea credi&i(i a ea regim#(#i )i ,ncrederea p!p#(a$iei ,n regim, "'a #ri(e "a(e n# era# ,n ! dea#na pr!a" e, de!arece 0!m#( "'-n 1 veni de pe p(ai#ri(e ,ng3e$a e a(e Si&eriei avea ace( &#n "im$ )i acea in #i$ie, "peci'ic $%r%ne) i* +e2a (#ng#( an#(#i ;@;G, e( a p(eda pen r# #rgen area di" ri&#irii de can i %$i "#'icien e de 3ran% r#pe(!r de pe 'r!n )i p!p#(a$iei civi(e )i a aver i.a c%, dac% "!(ici area n# va 'i ,ndep(ini %, "!(da$ii )i !amenii "imp(i v!r avea m#( de "#'eri )i v!r " -rni r%.meri$e* Pr!'e$ia "e va d!vedi c!rec %, c%ci rev!(#$ia din mar ie ;@;E, de (a Pe r!grad, avea "% i.&#cnea"c% !cmai prin re !amenii !&(iga$i "% " ea .i(e ,n regi (a c!.i (a a(imen e* +ac% $arina n# ar 'i '!" a - de dependen % de Ra"p# in, p!a e c% in'(#en$a (#i ma(e'ic% n# ar 'i '!" a - de p# ernic%, )i ,n a( % !rdine de idei, ma/!ri a ea $%rani(!r n# "e ar% a# mai impre"i!na$i de .v!n#ri(e de"pre !rgii(e c%(#g%r#(#i dec- de 'ap #( c% #n#( din re ai (!r re#)i"e "%

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reac% de &ariera repre.en a % de n!&i(i, "pre a2i v!r&i, de (a ega( (a ega(, 0 % #c#(#i1 $ar* +ar c#m "% e7p(ic%m #imi !area a&i(i a e a (#i Ra"p# in de a !pri 3em!ragii(e care2i pr!v!ca# $arevici#(#i A(e7ei d#reri ,ngr!.i !are )i ,i prime/dia# via$aI Era e( ,n (eg% #r% c# medicii C#r$ii, care ,i de" %in#ia# m!men #( pr!pice pen r# a in erveniI Avea acce" (a 0remedii(e i&e ane1 '#rni.a e de #n a( )ar(a an ce "e d%dea mare d!c !r, pe n#me Pe er BadmaievI Se a/# a de 3ipn!.%, !ri de &i!energieI In #i"e !are p!"i&i(i a ea c% !a e &!(i(e, c3iar )i 3em!ragii(e inc!n r!(a&i(e, "% ai&% ! ca#.% p"i3!"!ma ic% )i "% "e p!a % vindeca prin r2#n ra amen p"i3ia ricI Sa# era p#r )i "imp(# n!r!c, 3a.ard p#r, ceea ce e( '%ceaI N# v!m ) ii nici!da % r%"p#n"#( (a ace" e ,n re&%ri, dar 'ap #( e"en$ia( e" e c% $arina era 'erm c!nvin"% de p# eri(e 0"#prana #ra(e1 a(e (#i Ra"p# in* E7i" % d!ve.i c% $ar#( n# ,mp%r %)ea !&"e"ia "!$iei "a(e* Nic%ieri ,n /#rna(#( "%#, !ri ,n "cri"!ri(e rimi"e, e( n# ad#ce v!r&a de"pre vre! pre"#p#"% p# ere e7 ra"en.!ria(% a &i.ar#(#i c%(#g%r* 4n "c3im&, !m pr!'#nd re(igi!", $ar#( a ri&#ia vindecarea de (a Spa(a admini" r%rii ace(ei 0#( ime ,mp%r %)anii1* Nic!(ae ,( privea pe Ra"p# in ca pe #n m#/ic !arecare* 0E" e d!ar #n r#" &#n, credinci!" )i "%rac c# d#3#(1, "cria e(* 0C-nd m% "im a"a( a de gri/i, ,mi 'ace p(%cere "% v!r&e"c c# e(, pen r# c% invaria&i(, d#p% ace" e di"c#$ii, am ! "en.a$ie de pace in eri!ar% e7 ra!rdinar de p(%c# %1* Oar#(, care primea peri!dic rap!ar e(e p!(i$iei "ecre e, em# a OFrana, re&#ie "% 'i ) i# mai m#( dec- A(e7andra de"pre via$a "canda(!a"% a a# !2 in i #(a #(#i c%(#g%r, )i pr!&a&i( era deran/a de in'(#en$a e7 ra!rdinar% pe care ace" !m, "imp(# )i &#n, dar pe" e m%"#r% de de"'r-na , ! avea a"#pra $arinei* Oamenii de (a C#r e v!r&ea# c3iar de"pre ! di"c#$ie p#r a % de $ar c# #n#( din re c#r enii 'av!ri$i, amira(#( Ni(!v, care av#"e"e c#ra/#( "%2( ,n re&e c- va mai !(era a i #dinea in"!(en % a (#i Ra"p# in* 0Mai &ine Ra"p# in, dec- i" ericii anar3i) i )i c!m#ni) i1, ar 'i r%"p#n" Nic!(ae* 4n i#(ie ;@;G, c-nd r%.&!i#( c# Germania deveni"e iminen , Ra"p# in "e a'(a aca"%, ,n "% #c#( "%# "i&erian, ,n c!nva(e"cen$% d#p% ce '#"e"e ,n/#ng3ia , ,n imp#( #n#ia din re !&i)n#i e(e "a(e c3i!(3an#ri* La a'(area ve) i(!r de"pre m!&i(i.area genera(% a arma ei r#"e, e( a e(egra'ia imedia (a Oar"F!e Se(!: 0T% #c#( $ar "% n#

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p!rnea"c% (a r%.&!i, c%ci ace" r%.&!i va 'i pieirea R#"iei )i a 'ami(iei imperia(e )i ve$i pierde p-n% (a #( im#( !m1* Ci ind e(egrama, Nic!(ae "2a m-nia )i a r#p 2! imedia ,n &#c%$i* E( d!rea "% preia imedia c!manda arma ei pe care ! ,ndr%gea a - de m#( )i d!ar d#p% n#mer!a"e in"i" en$e a accep a "% predea c!nd#cerea Mare(#i +#ce Nic!(ae Nic!(aevici, ce( mai e7perimen a mi(i ar din 'ami(ia imperia(%* +ar r%.&!i#( a mer" pr!" pen r# arma a r#"%, nepreg% i %, '(%m-nd% )i pr!" ec3ipa %* Uria)a ,nc(e) are de (a Tannen&erg, din re D= )i >A a#g#" ;@;G, a "a(va Cran a de (a inva.ie, prin 'ap #( c% i2a !&(iga pe germani "% rimi % mai m#( e divi.ii pe 'r!n #( r%"%ri ean, dar a pr!v!ca ,n ace(a)i imp gre(e pierderi r#)i(!r* Prac ic, arma a (!r reg#(a % a '!" .dr!&i % aici, iar (ip"a m#ni$ii(!r )i a armamen #(#i a ,mpiedica re'acerea p# erii mi(i are r#"e) i* +e)i R#"ia a !&$in# c- eva vic !rii nea) ep a e ,mp! riva A#" riei, ea n# a p# # $ine piep '!rmida&i(ei ma)in%rii de r%.&!i pr#"ace* P-n% ,n a#g#" ;@;?, cea mai mare par e a eri !ri#(#i p!(!ne. ce '#"e"e de$in# de r#)i rec#"e de/a ,n " %p-nirea germani(!r )i apr!ape pa r# mi(i!ane de !" a)i r#)i ,)i pierd#"er% via$a, '#"e"er% r%ni$i "a# (#a$i pri.!nieri* C#ri!", $ar#( a deci" "% preia imedia c!manda "#prem%, ,n ci#da "'a #ri(!r mini) ri(!r "%i, dar ,nc#ra/a a"id## de A(e7andra* 4n'(%c%rarea c# care $arina a "pri/ini acea" a ac$i#ne a&"#rd%, de)i de ,n$e(e" din par ea #n#i a# !cra ca Nic!(ae, a '!" de"ig#r dic a % de c!nvingerea c% "!$#( ei n# re&#ie "% 'ie nici!da % a( d!i(ea !m ,n imperi#( m!) eni de (a " r%m!)ii "%i, c% n# re&#ie "% "e ,ncread% dec- ,n '!r$e(e pr!prii )i n# ,n a($ii* C#p(#( imperia( c!re"p!nda, de !&icei, ,n (im&a eng(e.%, indi'eren c% era v!r&a de"pre "cri"!ri "a# e(egrame* Pe DG i#nie ;@;?, A(e7andra ,i "cria (#i Nic!(ae, care in"pec a (inia 'r!n #(#i: 0I#&i #( me#, re&#ie "% e 'aci a"c#( a )i "% (e amin e) i # #r!r ca # e) i Oar#( )i c% p!$i 'ace !rice d!re) i* Trage '!(!" din p!.i$ia pe care ! ai )i ara %2(e ce(!r(a$i c% ai #n c#v-n de "p#" )i ! v!in$% p# ernic% )i c% n# e) i c!nd#" de N* 8Mare(e +#ce Nic!(ae9 )i de an #ra/#( "%#, care "%2$i diri/e.e mi)c%ri(e )i c%r!ra "% (e ceri mere# permi"i#nea pen r# ac$i#ni(e a(e* Ac#m, c!nd#2$i "ing#r arma a, '%r% a/# !r#( nim%n#i )i &inec#v-n ea.%2i c# pre.en$a a pe !$i1* +in ? "ep em&rie ;@;?, c-nd Nic!(ae a p%r%"i Oar"F!e Se(! "pre a pre(#a c!manda r#pe(!r )i p-n% pe DA mar ie ;@;E, .i#a de dinain ea are" %rii "a(e, (a M!g3i(ev, p# em #rm%ri c#r"#( ragic )i apr!ape incredi&i( a( evenimen e(!r din

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#( ime(e (#ni a(e $ari"m#(#i, prin in ermedi#( "cri"!ri(!r din re "#veran i "!$ia (#i* Ace" ea c!n" i #ie #na din re ce(e mai #imi !are )i mai imp!r an e "#r"e a(e ar3ive(!r i" !rice r#"e) i* +ar n# p# em ,n$e(ege "en"#( ace" !r mi"ive '%r% a 'i c!n) ien$i mai ,n -i de dependen$a ! a(% a 'ami(iei $ari" e 'a$% de "ing#ra per"!an% care i2ar 'i p# # reda "%n% a ea ad!ra #(#i (!r 'i#* Pe G "ep em&rie ;@;?, A(e7andra ,i "cria "!$#(#i "%#, cer-nd#2i "% ! a) ep e (a car ier#( genera( a( arma ei r#"e: 0N# e eme pen r# ce a r%ma" ,nap!i*** I#&i #(e, "#n aici, n# r-de de "!$i!ara a pr!" #$%, dar ea p!ar % pan a(!ni pe dede"#& #( r!c3iei1* Nic!(ae era ,nc-n a : 0C3iar m% g-ndeam, "!$i!ara mea, c-nd vei vrea "%2( "pri/ini pe &%r&%$e(#( %#, ac#m, c% e" e depar eI Ce p%ca c% n#2$i p!$i ,ndep(ini da !ria de a c!nd#ce $ara ,n (ip"a mea pen r# #n imp mai ,nde(#nga , "a# ce( p#$in pe !a % d#ra a r%.&!i#(#i51 Pe ;A "ep em&rie, A(e7andra accep a 0mi"i#na1 ,ncredin$a %: 0O, inimi!ara mea, "#n a - de mi)ca % c% ,mi d!re) i a/# !r#(* 4n ! dea#na "#n ga a "% 'ac ! #( pen r# ine, d!ar ca n#2mi p(ace "% m% ame" ec #ndeva '%r% "% mi "e cear%1* Prin a"emenea c#vin e c!pi(%re i, p# erea "#prem% a"#pra R#"iei era ,ncredin a % arinei, ,n vreme ce ar#( "e !c#pa e7c(#"iv de pr!&(eme(e mi(i are* I#&ind p# erea, A(e7andra a accep a c# &#c#rie, '%r% ,n"% a ren#na "% "e mai (a"e d!mina % de Ra"p#n in* Scanda(#( ,n /#r#( ace" #i per"!na/ &i.ar n# a deveni ! pr!&(em% " ringen % p-n% c-nd arina n# "2a imp(ica ,n re.!(varea #n!r pr!&(eme g#vernamen a(e, (a "'-ri #( (#i ;@;?* ar#( ,i ,ncep#"e d!mnia 3! %r- "% men in% principii(e a# !cra iei, dar, ,n prea/ma rev!(#iei din ;@A?, e( a accep a "% 'ac% #n c!mpr!mi", c!nv!c-nd ! '!rm#(% par(amen ar% c#n!"c# % "#& n#me(e de +#ma Imperia(%* A(e7andra n# p# ea "#'eri acea" % in" i #ie din d!#% m! ive* 4n a( d!i(ea r-nd, ,n"%i e7i" en a #n#i !rgani"m p!(i ica(e" imp(ica #n c!n r!( a"#pra a# !ri %ii p-n% a #nci a&"!(# e, dein# e de "!#( ei i, mai grav, amenina "% p#n% "emn#( ,n re&%rii i ! even #a(% d!mnie a# !cra ic% a arevici#(#iA(e7ei* Teama ei &!(n%vici!a"% pen r# via a ace" #ia din #rm% "e ran"'!rma"e ,n r2! d!rin% acer&% de a2i a"ig#ra ! d!mnie "!(id%, a"emeni a( !r m!nar3i a&"!(# i i* +in acea" % per"pec iv%, arina d!rea ca Nic!(ae"% ai&% %ria predece"!ri(!r "%i, Ivan ce( Gr!a.nic "a# Pe r# ce( Mare, "% 'ie #n iran a"pr# care "% ran"mi % p# erea ! a(% #rmai(!r* 4n "cri"!ri(e "a(e, ea reia mere# acea" % em%:

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0Pen r# &ine(e c!pi(#(#i, re&#ie "% 'im 'ermi i ne,nd#p(ecai, c%ci a( 'e( m! enirea "a va 'i ,n"p%im-n % !are* +e/a carac er#( "%# p# ernic ,( ,ndeamn% "% n# "e p(ece ,n 'a a a( !ra, ci "% 'ie pr!pri#( "%# " %p-n1* 0Tre&#ie "% ,ncredin %m (#i A(e7ei ! ar% p# ernic% i de aceea "% n# ne ar% %m "(a&i, a( min eri e( va avea ! d!mnie p(in% de neca.#ri, ,ncerc-nd "% ,ndrep e ce am " rica i "% " r-ng% 'r-ie(e pe care n!i (e2am (%"a prea "(a&e1* 0E( are ! v!in% p# ernic% i #n carac er p(in de %rie, n# (%"a (#cr#ri(e "%2i "cape prin re dege e, pen r# ca A(e7ei "% 'ie nev!i "% ia ! #( de (a cap% 1* +%d%ci a" 'e(, n#2i de mirare c% "(a&#( Nic!(ae a c!mi" a - ea gre e(i, ,n #( ime(e "a(e (#ni de g#vernare* La ,ncep# #( r%.&!i#(#i, prim2mini" r# ,n R#"ia era #n &% r-n i vic(ean &ir!cra , pe n#me G!rem,Fin, care "#"inea c% mini rii n# re&#ie "% 'ie mai pre"#" dec- (ac3eii, ,n !c3ii ar#(#i* T! #i, e( n# a e.i a "% cri ice deci.ia a #(#i de a pre(#a c!manda arma ei, 'ap pen r# care a '!" demi", pe nea) ep a e, pe D 'e&r#arie ;@;=, "pre a 'i ,n(!c#i de mae" r#( de cerem!nii a( Pa(a #(#i, B* V* S Qrmer, ! per"!na(i a e ear"% i ma(ea&i(%* N# e7i" % nici ! ,nd!ia(% c% A(e7andra a '%c# acea" % pr!p#nere, ,n r#c- ! $arina ,( n#mi"e an eri!r mini" r# de in erne, (a "'a #( (#i Ra"p# in, !var%) de !rgii c# S Qrmer5 +in p%ca e pen r# R#"ia, ace" !m "(a& 3a&ar n# avea de"pre ,nda !riri(e "a(e de premier )i nici n# "e c3in#ia "%2)i &a % cap#( c# re.!(varea pr!&(eme(!r " ringen e c# care $ara "e c!n'r#n a* Ki c3iar de2ar 'i '!" #n individ capa&i(, n#me(e "%#, c# re.!nan$e e# !nice, era de2a/#n" "pre a2( 'ace "#"pec ,n !c3ii r#)i(!r, care "e ar% a# c!nvin)i c% S Qrmer era de 'ap #n "pi!n german, 3! %r- "%2( de ermine pe $ar "% ,nc3eie pace "epara % c# P# eri(e Cen ra(e* +#ma a (an"a #n a ac vir#(en ,mp! riva (#i, (a ,ncep# #( (#i n!iem&rie* +#p% ce2( de"cri"e"e de/a ca pe #n !m 0dev! a , !ne" , "ig#r1, pe E n!iem&rie ;@;= A(e7andra ,( ,n) iin$a pe Nic!(ae: 0pen r# ca(marea "piri e(!r ,n +#m%, S Qrmer a '!" nev!i "% "e dec(are &!(nav )i "% p(ece pen r# rei "%p %m-ni "%2)i ,ngri/ea"c% "%n% a ea* E( e" e #n "emna( de a(arm% pen r# acea" % in" i #$ie c!(c%ind de rev!(#$i!nari )i de c!m#ni) i, pen r# acea" % ca"% de ne&#ni5 L2am "'% #i pe S Qrmer "% di"par% )i ,n decem&rie, c-nd (#cr#ri(e "e v!r mai (ini) i, "%2)i reia '#nc$ia1* Nic!(ae era de ac!rd c# de"crierea '%c# % de "!$ia "a +#mei: 0S Qrmer, d#p% c#m "p#i )i #, repre.in % ,n r2adevar, #n m! iv de ,ngri/!rare n# d!ar pen r# dep# a$i,

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dar vai, mi2e eam% c% pen r# ,n reaga $ar%, care n#2; vede c# !c3i &#ni5 Mi2e eama c% va re&#i "% ren#n$e (a '#nc$ia "a, pen r# ca n!i "% avem (ini) e1* Pe DD n!iem&rie, $ar#( (2a demi" pe S Qrmer a - din '#nc$ia de premier c- )i din cea de mini" r# de In erne )i (2a n#mi prim2mini" r# pe '!" #( mini" r# a( Tran"p!r #ri(!r, A* C* Trep!v, "pre de.am%girea A(e7andrei: 0+e"pre Trep!v re&#ie "%2$i "p#n ca n#2; "#'%r de(!c )i n# p! avea 'a$% de e( ace(ea)i "en imen e ca(de pe care (e aveam pen r# G!rem,Fin "a# S Qrmer*** iar dac% e( n# are ,ncredere ,n n!i "a# ,n Prie en#( n!" r#, (#cr#ri(e v!r merge '!ar e r%#* I2am cer# (#i S Qrmer "%2( ,nve$e c#m re&#ie "% "e p!ar e c# Greg!ri )i "%2i a"ig#re permanen pr! ec$ia1* Trep!v )i2a p%" ra '#nc$ia p-n% ,n ian#arie ;@;E, c-nd a '!" ,n(!c#i de #( im#( premier $ari" , prin$#( Nic!(ai G!(i$,n, pe care Bernard Pare" ,( de"crie drep #n 0&!ier de m!d% vec3e, !ne" )i m#nci !r, dar c# ! "%n% a e )#&red%, ce '%cea par e, ca ad/#nc , din c!mi e #( cari a&i( !rgani.a de $arin%1* G!(i$,n, ,n"p%im-n a de pr!p#nerea '%c# %, a ,ncerca "% ! re'#.e, arg#men -nd c% e" e prea &% r-n )i prea &!(nav "pre a2)i mai a"#ma ! a"emenea re"p!n"a&i(i a e, dar n# a p# # ne"!c! i p!r#nca imperia(%* Oric#m, &% r-n#( c#r ean n# ar 'i re&#i "% "e ara e ,ngri/!ra , pen r# c% nici e(, nici Trep!v n# c!n a# prea m#( ,n ec#a$ia p# erii, ,n ace" e #( ime .i(e a(e $ari"m#(#i* Oarina )i Ra"p# in g%"i"er% de/a #n par ener idea( "pre a2)i c!mp(e a ri#mvira #(, ,n per"!ana (#i A* +* Pr! !p!p!v, ini$ia( mini" r# '%r% p!r !'!(i#, ap!i mini" r# a( In erne(!r* La prima vedere, Pr! !p!p!v p%rea ! a(egere e7ce(en %, c%ci e( '#"e"e vicepre)edin e(e +#mei, deci p# ea ac$i!na ca #n 'ac !r de c!!perare ,n re acea" % in" i #$ie )i 'ami(ia $ari" %* +ar de 'ap , e( n# '%c#"e ! 'ig#r% prea &#n% nici ,n ace" p!" , pe care ,( da !ra ! in"i" en$e(!r A(e7andrei* C# ani ,n #rm%, Pr! !p!p!v "#'eri"e de "i'i(i" )i ape(a"e (a )ar(a an#( Badmaiev )i (a 0(eac#ri(e i&e ane1 a(e ace" #ia, remedii care pr!&a&i( c% a# '!" '!(!"i e c# "#cce" )i de Ra"p# in, pen r# ra area $arevici#(#i* E7i" % n#mer!a"e d!ve.i care par "% a e" e c% Pr! !p!p!v ar 'i "#'eri de ! '!rm% cere&ra(%, de "i'i(i" er$iar* +e a( 'e(, m#($i '#nc$i!nari care (#cra"er% c# e( ,( c!n"idera# ne&#n ,n !a % reg#(a* Ca mini" r# de In erne, ,)i pe recea imp#( ,n !cmind p(an#ri 'an a" ice )i irea(i.a&i(e, i(#" ra e prin "c3i$e, 3%r$i )i a&e(e c!mp(ica e, pen r# re'!rmarea arma ei, a g#vern#(#i )i a ,n reg#(#i imperi#* Pr! !p!p!v "e deran/a rare!ri

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"% par icipe (a )edin$e(e de ca&ine )i d%dea d!vad% de ac , $in-nd#2"e depar e de +#m%* Oar#( )i2a e7prima de"e!ri ,nd!ia(a c% men$inerea, ,n r2! '#nc$ie a - de imp!r an %, a #n#i a" 'e( de (#na ic, ar 'i ! m%"#ra ,n$e(eap %* Pe ;A n!iem&rie ;@;=, e( ,i "cria "!$iei "a(e: 0,mi pare r%# pen r# Pr! 2 e" e #n !m &#n )i cin" i 2 dar "are ve)nic de (a ! idee (a a( a, e" e inc!eren )i n# "e p!a e c!ncen ra a"#pra nici #n#i (#cr#* Am !&"erva a" a ,nc% de (a ,ncep# * Se "p#ne c% ,n #rm% c# c-$iva ani ar 'i "#'eri de ! &!a(% r#)in!a"% 8pen r# ra area c%reia ar 'i ape(a (a "'a #( (#i Badmaiev9* S% (a" ,n m-ini(e #n#i a"emenea per"!na/ c!mandaH a'aceri(!r in erne, ,n imp#ri(e gre(e pe care (e r%im, mi "e pare prea ri"can *** +ar e r!g "% n#2( -r%) i pe Prie en#( n!" r# ,n acea" % a'acere ,nc-(ci %* Re"p!n"a&i(i a ea ,mi apar$ine ,n ! a(i a e )i ca a are vrea# "% ia# e# ,n"#mi deci.ia )i "% am dep(in% (i&er a e de ac$i#ne1* +ar $ar#( n# era de(!c (i&er "% ac$i!ne.e, a)a c#m ,)i imagina, ,n r#c- Ra"p# in deci"e"e de/a c% Pr! !p!p!v n# re&#ia demi"5 A(e7andra a ,n reprin", pen r# a2; "a(va pe ire"p!n"a&i(#( mini" r#, demer"#ri "#"$in# e pe (-ng% "!$#( ei: 0Te imp(!r "% n# e gr%&e) i "pre a2; "c3im&a pe Pr! !p!p!v ac#m 2 e" e #n !m de mare carac er )i ne e" e (!ia(* O, i#&i #(e, p!$i "% ai ,ncredere ,n mine5 P!a e c% n# "#n de" #( de in e(igen %, dar am ! in #i$ie care n# d% gre) )i a" a a/# % de"e!ri (a (#area #n!r deci.ii imp!r an e, mai &ine dec- ! p!a e 'ace creier#(* N# demi e pe nimeni p-n% n# v!m " a per"!na( de v!r&%, e imp(!r, (a"% (#cr#ri(e a)a c#m "#n )i (e v!m di"c# a ,mpre#n% ,n c#r-nd* Pr! !p!p!v ,( venerea.% pe Prie en#( n!" r# )i va 'i &inec#v-n a * N# e" e ne&#n, c#m "e .v!ne) e, )i n# e(, ci "!$ia (#i a ape(a (a Badmaiev, pen r# a2)i ra a nevr!.e(e* Lini) e) e2m%, pr!mi e2mi c% vei ier a, c%ci d!ar pen r# ine )i pen r# C!pi(#( n!" r# (#p 1* A(e7andra aran/a"e de/a "%2i 'ac% ! vi.i % "!$#(#i ei, (a M!g3i(ev* Pe ;D n!iem&rie, (a d!#% .i(e d#p% ce a "cri" acea" % "cri"!are, ea a "!"i (a car ier#( genera( a( $ar#(#i, #nde a r%ma" pre$ de rei "%p %m-ni* N# a '!" #)!r "%2( c!nving% c% are drep a e ,n privin$a (#i Pr! !p!p!v, ,n r#c- Nic!(ae a '!" ne!&i)n#i de a"pr# )i de ,nd%r% nic c# ea* I2a "p#" c% (#mea ,( di"pre$#ie) e pe ace" 'an'ar!n ne&#n )i c% !$i ,( v!r ac#.a pe $ar daca Pr! !p!p!v va c!n in#a "% 'ie men$in# ,n cadr#( g#vern#(#i* Oarina (2a r#ga "% 'ie 'erm, dar ,n ace(a)i imp 0i"c#"i )i ,nver)#na 1, "pre a d!vedi

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# #r!r c% e( e" e " %p-n#( care n# $ine c!n de .v!n#ri(e )i v!ci'er%ri(e m#($imii* Mai pre"#" de !rice, credea $arina, re&#ie "% ai&% dep(in% ,ncredere ,n Ra"p# in* N# c# m#( imp ,nain e de acea" % di"c#$ie, A(e7andra ,i "cri"e"e "!$#(#i ei: 0O, i#&i #(e, m% r!g a - de pr!'#nd (a +#mne.e# "% e 'ac% "% "im$i )i "%2$i dai "eama c% Grig!ri e" e p%.i !r#( n!" r#, dac% n# ar 'i '!" E( n# ) i# ce m2a) 'i '%c# * E( ne2a "a(va , prin r#g%ci#ni(e Sa(e )i prin "'a #ri(e ,n$e(ep e pe care ni (e2a da * Credin$a L#i e" e are ca " -nca )i n#mai E( ne a/# %, ,n ace" e vrem#ri #(&#ri1* Tre&#ie "% !&"erv%m c% Ra"p# in n# mai e" e d!ar 0Prie en#(1 'ami(iei $ari" e, ci cap% %, ,n min ea p(in% de "#per" i$ii a $arinei, c!n! a$ii(e divini %$ii, de vreme ce A(e7andra "e re'er% (a e( '!(!"ind ,n ! dea#na pr!n#me(e "cri" c# ma/#"c#(e* Pe G decem&rie, .i#a c-nd A(e7andra "e ,n !arce "pre Oar"F!e Se(!, Nic!(ae, c#prin" de rem#)c%ri pen r# m!d#( a"pr# ,n care ! ra a"e, ,i "crie, cer-nd#2i ier are )i an#n$-nd2! c% v!in$a ei, de a2; p%" ra ,n p!" pe incapa&i(#( Pr! !p!p!v, va 'i ,ndep(ini %* Oar#(, "!$ia "a )i Ra"p# in deveni"er% de/a, ,n !amna (#i ;@;= ce(e mai nep!p#(are 'ig#ri pen r# !a e c(a"e(e "!cia(e din R#"ia* Iar acea" % #r% pe care r#)ii ! re"im$ea# 'a$% de cei rei "e ac#m#(a"e d!ar ,n #( ime(e !p "pre.ece (#ni* C#"e"er% '%c# e n#mer!a"e ,ncerc%ri de a2i de"c3ide $ar#(#i !c3ii a"#pra adev%r#(#i de"pre Ra"p# in* Mama "a, c- eva Mari +#ce"e, am&a"ad!rii Cran$ei )i Marii Bri anii, pre)edin e(e +#mei, !$i in"i" a"er% pe (-ng% e( "% "cape de Ra"p# in )i 0"%2( a.v-r(e ,n m!cir(a de #nde "2a ridica1* Mare(e +#ce Pave(, #nc3i#( 'av!ri a( A(e7andrei, )i c3iar ,n"%)i: "!ra mai mare a $arinei, Marea +#ce"% E(i"a&e a, a# c%# a , de a"emenea, "% ! "cape de in'(#en$% ma(e'ica a (#i Ra"p# in* Ei a# ,ncerca "% ! 'ac% a ,n$e(ege c% ame" ec#( "%# ,n c3e" i#ni(e mi(i are d%dea# impre"ia c% $arina ,i a/# % de 'ap pe germani, r%d-nd a" 'e( R#"ia* +ar nimic n# a c!n a , pen r# c% $arina nici n# d!rea "% a#d% cri ici ,mp! riva 'av!ri #(#i )i 0&ine'%c% !r#(#i1 ei* Prin #rmare, c-$iva mem&ri ai 'ami(iei imperia(e a# deci" "% "c3im&e ac ica )i "% ac$i!ne.e direc * +in ne'ericire, ei n# "2a# p# # p#ne de ac!rd a"#pra m!d#(#i ,n care re&#ia ac$i!na * M#($i c!n"idera# nece"ar% ! dec(ara$ie care "% a e" e c% A(e7andra n# "e mai a'(a ,n dep(in% a ea 'ac#( %$i(!r min a(e, dar n# vedea# nici ! p!"i&i(i a e de a ! e(imina de'ini iv din cerc#( p# erii, ,n a'ara ca.#(#i ,n care ,n"#)i $ar#( a&dica* +e aceea, p(an#( a '!" c!n"idera prea ne&#ne"c "pre a avea "!r$i de i.&-nd%* 4n ce(e din #rm%,

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c!n/#ra$ii a# deci" "%2( a rag% pe Ra"p# in ,n r2! c#r"% )i "%2( a"a"ine.e, "per-nd c% m!ar ea (#i va pr!v!ca ! cri.a pr!'#nd% ,n 'ami(ia imperia(%, ,n #rma c%reia A(e7andra, di" r#"% de d#rere, ar 'i '!" in erna % ,n r2#n a.i( de &!(i nerv!a"e, iar Nic!(ae ar 'i '!" !&(iga "% c!(a&!re.e c# +#ma )i "% ren#n$e (a c!manda r#pe(!r de pe 'r!n * Crima a '!" p(%n#i % de prin$#( Ce(i7 I#"#p!v, nep! #( prin a(ian$% a( $ar#(#i, c!mp(ici 'iind Mare(e +#ce +imi ri, v%r#( 'av!ri a( $ar#(#i )i 'i#( Mare(#i +#ce Pave( )i V* M* P#ri)Fevici, #n m!nar3i" arden )i (ider a( gr#p%rii de e7 rem% dreap a din +#m%* P!ve" ea a"a"ina #(#i /!"nic )i pr!" ,n'%p#i , c!mi" ,n .i#a de >A decem&rie ;@;=, )i a c%r#i vic im% a '!" Ra"p# in "2a "p#" de prea m#( e !ri ,nc- "% ! pre.en %m ,n pagini(e ace" ei c%r$i ,n am%n#n * Ne v!m re.#ma "% ne e7prim%m "eri!a"e d#&ii a"#pra can i %$ii de ! rav% p#"% ,n vin#( )i pr%/i #ri(e pe care 'a("#( c%(#g%r (e2a deg#" a , dar e" e cer c% e( a '!" ,mp#)ca ,n piep c# #n pi" !(, de (a mic% di" an$%, )i a mai primi a( e g(!an$e, de (a ! di" an$% mai mare* Ap!i a '!" ar#nca "#& p!/g3i$a de g3ea$% ce ac!perea r-#( Neva, 'iind de"c!peri , a d!#a .i, m!r n# din ca#.a ! ravei "a# a g(!an$e(!r, ci a apei care2i in#nda"e p(%m-nii5 T!a e ace" e &-(&e "#gerea.% c%, dac% R!man!vii a# '!" a - de p#$in e'icien$i ,n (ic3idarea inamic#(#i (!r, nici #n#( din re ei n# ar 'i p# # deveni vre!da % #n $ar mai capa&i( dec- nev!(nic#( Nic!(ae*** +ar e'ec #( m!r$ii (#i Ra"p# in a"#pra A(e7andrei a '!" c# ! #( c!n rar ce(#i "c!n a de c!mp(! i) i* +epar e de c%dea ,n r2! " are de pr!" a$ie, $arina )i2a reveni rapid d#p% )!c#( ini$ia( )i n# p!a e dec- "% ne "#rprind% c#ra/#( ace" ei 'emei care va avea p# erea "%2)i "#"$in% 'ami(ia de2a (#ng#( #rm% !are(!r (#ni, ce(e mai negre din via$a ei* 4n "c3im&, "e pare c% $ar#( "2a pr%&#)i , din p#nc de vedere p"i3ic* La cererea e7pre"% a "!$iei, e( a "!"i va(2v-r e/ (a Oar"F!e Se(!, #nde va r%m-ne pen r# d!#% (#ni* T!$i !amenii pe care i2a ,n -(ni , ,n acea" % peri!ad%, a# '!" de ac!rd c% ! "c3im&are pr!'#nd% ,( a'ec a"e* Karm#( "%# (egendar di"p%r#"e "#& #m&ra #n#i ric #" grav, 'ig#ra a( %da % "enin% era ac#m ve)nic ,ncr#n a %, a(&#( !c3i(!r prin"e"e ! n#an$% g%(&#ie, iar p#pi(e(!r (e (ip"ea " r%(#cirea* Oar#( deveni"e m!r!c%n!", e.i an , #ne!ri p%r-nd c% n# mai ) ie nici m%car ,n ce .i a "%p %m-nii "e a'(% )i nici #nde n# "e g%"e) e* Unii credea# c% $ar#( "e a'(a permanen "#& in'(#en$a a(c!!(#(#i "a# a dr!g#ri(!r 8'#rni.a e de ace(a)i Badmaiev9* N# e7i" % ,n"% d!ve.i care "% "#"$in% a"emenea a'irma$ii, dar

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p# em "c3i$a ! m! iva$ie n# d!ar p"i3!(!gic%, ci )i 'i.ic%, a pr%&#)irii "a(e* ,n imp#( #( ime(!r !p "pre.ece (#ni, e( r%i"e n# d!ar ,n r2#n " re" permanen , pe 'r!n , dar "e "im$ea c!mp(e i.!(a , c%ci !$i c!n"i(ierii )i prie enii dev! a$i 'ie ,( p%r%"i"er%, 'ie '#"e"er% a(#nga$i c3iar de e(, (a "!(ici area am&i$i!a"ei A(e7andra* E( re&#ie "% 'i ) i# ! #)i c% acea" % i.!(are "e da !ra e7c(#"iv (!ia(i % ii 'a % de "!$ia "a, c- "i credin$ei !ar&e pe care $arina ! avea ,n Ra"p# in* 0Om#( "'-n 1 deveni"e p#r )i "imp(# #n dr!g pen r# ea, (a care n# p# ea ren#n$a* +ar )i ac#m, c-nd Ra"p# in di"p%r#"e, A(e7andra "e ar% a (a 'e( de ,nc%p%$-na % )i ,nver)#na % ,mp! riva # #r!r "'e nici(!r $ar#(#i, c# a( e c#vin e !a e "acri'icii(e '%c# e de Nic!(ae '#"e"er% .adarnice* 4n ceea ce prive) e degradarea " %rii de "%n% a e, cea mai &#n% eviden$% ! g%"im c3iar ,n "cri"!ri(e $ar#(#i* 4nc% din i#nie ;@;?, e( ! an#n$a pe A(e7andra: 0+a, draga mea, ,ncep "%2mi "im inima &% r-n%* Prima da % "2a ,n -mp(a ,n a#g#" an#( rec# , d#p% ca a" r!'a Sam"!n!v, )i ac#m a ap%r# ace(a)i "imp !m 2 "im ! gre# a e mare pe par ea " -ng%, a #nci c-nd re"pir1* Pe ;; mar ie ;@;E, c-nd "2a re,n !r" (a car ier#( genera( a( arma ei r#"e, e( ,i va rimi e #n n!# r%va) A(e7andrei )i mai e(!cven : 04n acea" % diminea$%, ,n imp#( "(#/&ei, am "im$i ! d#rere c#mp(i % ,n piep , care a d#ra cam #n "'er de cea"* C# gre# am p# # r%m-ne ,n pici!are p-n% (a "'-r)i #( "(#/&ei )i 'r#n ea mi "e #mp(#"e de &r!&!ane de "#d!are* N# ,n$e(eg ce2ar 'i p# # "% 'ie a" a, 'iindc% n# am av# nici #n 'e( de pa(pi a$ii (a inim%, iar mai -r.i# d#rerea a di"p%r# &r#"c, c-nd am ,ngen#nc3ea ,n 'a$a ic!anei S'in ei Ceci!are* +ac% "e va repe a cri.a, ! "%2( an#n$ pe d!c !r#( Ce!d!r!v1* Se pare c% $ar#( "#'eri"e 'ie #n in'arc c!r!narian min!r, 'ie #n a ac de angin%* C# rei .i(e ,nain e, Nic!(ae p%r%"i"e Tar"F!e Se(! "pre a "e ,n !arce (a car ier#( genera(, c3ema de #rgen$% de genera(#( A(e7eev, pr!&a&i( pen r# c% di"cip(ina an#mi !r #ni %$i ,ncepea "% (a"e de d!ri * 4n aceea)i .i, r%.meri$a "2a " -rni )i (a Pe r!grad* Vremea '#"e"e ne!&i)n#i de a"pr%, c3iar )i pen r# ! iarn% r#"ea"c%, iar ran"p!r #ri(e pe ca(ea 'era % apr!ape para(i.a e de ger, ca.ane(e (!c!m! ive(!r p(e.nind, p#r )i "imp(#, din ca#.a empera #ri(!r e7 rem de "c%.# e* Prin #rmare, apr!vi.i!narea c# 3ran% )i c%r&#ne a p!p#(a$iei (%"a "eri!" de d!ri * Se "p#nea c%, de)i e7i" a "#'icien % 'ain% "pre a a"ig#ra nece"ar#( (!c#i !ri(!r, re.erve(e de c%r&#ne era# '!ar e red#"e* +#ma a a aca '#ri&#nd p!(i ica 'a(imen ar% a g#vern#(#i ,n privin$a

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a"ig#r%rii nece"ar#(#i de 3ran%, ,n vreme ce m#($imi ! mai mari de !ameni '(%m-n.i c# reiera# !ra)#(, cer-nd p-ine, iar% ,n"% a pr!v!ca #(&#r%ri )i ri"ipind#2"e (a ce(e din -i c!n'r#n %ri c# p!(iia* 4n .i#a #rm% !are, ,n"%, n#m%r#( mani'e" an$i(!r a cre"c# "im$i !r, )i c- eva maga.ine a(imen are a# '!" deva" a e* Ca.acii a# in erveni , a/# -nd p!(i$ia "% men$in% !rdinea, dar nici dem!n" ran$ii, nici '!r$e(e de !rdine n# p%rea# di"p#)i "% "e a ace* +e remarca c%, p-n% "-m&% %, ;A mar ie, dem!n" ran$ii n# a# av# nici #n 'e( de revendicare c# en % p!(i ic%* +!ar c-$iva din re ei p#r a# " eag#ri r!)ii )i #nii " riga# 0L!" c# nem$!aica51, a(#.ie (a !rigini(e pr#"ace a(e $arinei* 4n re" , #(&#r%ri(e n# a# ,n"emna mai m#( dec- ! r%.meri$% dec(an)a % de '!ame e* +#minic%, ,n"%, "i #a$ia "2a agrava , iar p!(i$ia a '%c# ape( (a arma %, care a ra" '%r% e.i are ,n m#($imea ! mai vi!(en %* S!(da$ii regimen #(#i Pav(!v"Fi "2a# r%"c#(a )i a# re'#.a "% de"c3id% '!c#( a"#pra !ameni(!r, dar a# '!" de.arma$i de 'aim!"#( regimen de gard% Pre!&ra/en"Fi, 'ide( $ar#(#i* Se p%rea c% "-m&% % "eara !rdinea '#"e"e aparen re" a#ra %, dar ,n diminea$a .i(ei #rm% !are, regimen #( V!(in"Fi de a"emenea )i2a mani'e" a nem#($#mirea 'a$% de !rdine(e primi e )i "!(da$ii "%i "2a# ,n !r" ,n ca.%rmi* 4n n!ap ea de d#minic% "pre (#ni, ei "2a# r%"c#(a )i a# #ci" !'i$erii care (i "2a# !p#", pen r# ca ,n .!rii .i(ei de (#ni, ;D mar ie, "% 'ra erni.e.e c# m#($imea '(%m-nd% de pe " r%.i* Ac$i#nea (!r a ,nc(ina de'ini iv &a(an$a de par ea mani'e" an$i(!r, ran"'!rm-nd ! rev!( % " -rni % de '!ame ,n r2! veri a&i(% rev!(#$ie arma %* +e 'ap , R#"ia n# mai avea ! g#vernare e'ec iv% ,nc% din vinerea preceden %* 4n acea .i, $arevici#( A(e7ei )i "!ra "a, Giga, "2a# ,m&!(n%vi de p!/ar, &!a(% ce "2a ran"mi" c#r-nd )i ce(!r(a( e rei "#r!ri )i Annei Vir#&!va* Oarina i2a ,ngri/i pe !$i c# dev! amen , neav-nd imp "pre a "e mai dedica )i a'aceri(!r de " a * Prin #rmare, Pr! !p!p!v a '!" nev!i "% "e de"c#rce "ing#r c# re&#ri(e g#vern%rii, ape(-nd d!ar (a a/# !r#(*** "piri #(#i (#i Ra"p# in, pe care ,( c!nv!ca prin )edin$e de "piri i"m5 Pe ;D mar ie, A(e7andr Meren"Fi, #n dep# a de " -nga din +#m%, a "'% #i "!(da$ii regimen #(#i V!(in"Fi "% "e ,ndrep e "pre pa(a #( Ta#rida, #nde "e ,n r#nea par(amen #( r#"* C!nd#c% !rii in"#rgen$i(!r a# rimi" de(ega$ii de "!(da$i # #r!r ce(!r(a( e regimen e din capi a(%, c3em-nd#2(e "% vin% 0,n ap%rarea +#mei1* P-n% (a c%derea "erii, !a e #ni %$i(e mi(i are din Pe r!grad "e r%"c#(a"er%, c# e7cep$ia a rei

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c!mpanii din regimen #( de gard% I"mai(!vF"i )i ! a - ea de V-n% !ri* +ep# a$ii credinci!)i $ar#(#i i2a# rimi" ace" #ia me"a/e di"pera e (a car ier#( genera(, aver i.-nd#2; a"#pra gravi %$ii "i #a$iei* +#ma deveni"e ,n"% de ac#m #n 'e( de cen r# de c!mand% a( m#($imii r%"c#(a e, '%c-nd e'!r #ri imide de a re" a#ra !rdinea c# a/# !r#( S!vie e(!r 8c!mi e e(!r9 de M#nci !ri )i S!(da$i, a(e"e ,n prip% prin v! de"c3i", 'iecare mem&r# a( (!r repre.en -nd ! mie de per"!ane* 4n n!ap ea de ;G "pre ;? mar ie, d#p% di"c#$ii '#ri&#nde )i en"i!na e, +#ma )i S!vie e(e a# " a&i(i c% $ara #rma "% 'ie c!nd#"% ,n c!n in#are de in" i #$ia $ari" %, dar c% Nic!(ae re&#ie "% a&dice, ,n 'av!area (#i A(e7ei, a(e" ca m!nar3 c!n" i #$i!na(, "#& regen$a #nc3i#(#i "%#, Mare(e +#ce Mi3ai(* Nic!(ae a ,ncerca "% a/#ng% (a Oar"F!e Se(!, dar '#"e"e !pri )i "e a'(a ac#m (a P"F!v, p%" r-nd c!n ac #( c# genera(ii arma ei r#"e* +!i mem&ri ai +#mei, A(e7andr G#ciF!v )i Va"i(i K#(gin, a# redac a ac #( de a&dicare )i a# p(eca , ,n .!rii .i(ei de ;? mar ie, "pre P"F!v, "pre a i2( pre.en a "#veran#(#i* 4n re imp, genera(ii r#)i "e ,n r#ni"er% )i ei )i " a&i(i"er% c% "ing#ra "!(#$ie pen r# ie)irea din cri.% era ca Nic!(ae "% ren#n$e (a r!n* ar#( a '!" de ac!rd, d#p% c- eva e.i %ri ini$ia(e )i ,n d#p%2amia.a .i(ei de ;? mar ie )i2a '!rm#(a e( ,n"#)i ac #( de a&dicare, ,n 'av!area $arevici#(#i A(e7ei, av-nd#2( drep regen pe Mare(e +#ce Mi3ai(* Ap!i, "2a c!n"#( a c# d!c !r#( Ce!d!r!v )i "2a r%.g-ndi * C-nd G#ciF!v )i K#(gin a# "!"i , (a !ra .ece "eara, ei (e2a dec(ara c% n#2i p!a e (%"a p# erea (#i A(e7ei, ,n r#c- ace" a "#'er% de 3em!'i(ie* +ac% ! #)i va a&dica, ! va 'ace "pre a2i preda prer!ga ive(e imperia(e 'ra e(#i "%#, Mi3ai(* Repre.en an$ii +#mei, am&ii m!nar3i) i c!nvin)i, "2a# ,ngr!.i ,n"%, pen r# c% prin ,nc%p%$-narea "a, Nic!(ae amenin$a "% n%r#ie ,n reg#( p(an de "a(vare a in" i #$iei $ari" e* Un &%ia de ;D ani, "(a& )i in'(#en$a&i(, a'(a "#& # e(a +#mei, ar 'i '!" accep a de !$i* Mi3ai( ,n"% era #n R!man!v a# en ic, a# !cra p-n% ,n m%d#va !a"e(!r )i nimeni n# (2ar 'i d!ri (a c!nd#cerea #nei $%ri r%v%)i e de/a de '!c#( rev!(#$iei* Temeri(e ce(!r d!i "2a# d!vedi /#" i'ica e, ,n r#c- , a #nci c-nd dep# a$ii a# pr!c(ama a(egerea (#i Mi3ai( drep $ar, m#($imea i2a 3#id#i )i c# mare gre# a e repre.en an$ii +#mei a# re#)i "% "cape de (in)a/* La nici DG de !re d#p% acea" %

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mani'e" are !" i(%, Mi3ai( ren#n$a (a c!r!ana R#"iei* Hem!'i(ia di" r#"e"e a" 'e( #( ima "an"% de "a(vare a dina" iei R!man!vi(!r* A #rmai ! var% de anar3ie, de.i(#.ii )i ,n'r-ngeri, ,n care $ara "2a a'(a "#& c!nd#cerea ine'icien % a #n#i g#vern pr!vi.!ri# c!nd#" de Meren"FN* Ace" g#vern a) ep a c!n'irmarea de c% re ! Ad#nare C!n" i #an % ce #rma "% 'ie a(ea"% a&ia ,n decem&rie* +ar r#)i(!r p#$in (e p%"a de de.idera e(e p!(i ice a(e g#vern#(#i* P-ine, p%m-n )i pace, era ! ce2"i d!rea# m#($imi(e '(%m-nde, ,n !amna (#i ;@;E "i in #ind per'ec c#m " a# (#cr#ri(e, a&i(#( Lenin, c!nd#c% !r#( aripii &!()evice a Par id#(#i C!m#ni" , a pr!mi" !ameni(!r c% v!r avea !a e ace" ea )i a" 'e( a a/#n" (a p# ere* 4n r%.&!i#( civi( ce a #rma , &!()evicii a# re#)i "% cap #re.e 'ami(ia imperia(%, $in-nd2! ,n " are de d!mici(i# '!r$a ,n !ra)#( minier EFa erin&#rg, (a p!a(e(e m#n$i(!r Ura(i* Aici, ,n n!ap ea de ;=2;E i#(ie ;@;<, $ar#(, $arina, c!piii )i "(#/i !rii (!r a# '!" ,mp#)ca$i din !rdin#( S!vie #(#i (!ca(, m#rind a)a c#m r%i"er%, ca ! 'ami(ie #ni %* Op decenii mai -r.i#, ,n .i#a de ;E i#(ie ;@@<, r%m%)i$e(e p%m-n e) i a(e #( imi(!r R!man!vi a# '!" ,n3#ma e, c# #n cerem!nia( re(igi!" impre"i!nan , (a SanF Pe er"&#rg, vec3ea capi a(% a imperi#(#i $ari" , n#mi %, ,n imp#( dic a #rii c!m#ni" e, Leningrad* Aici, "icrie(e c!n$in-nd !"emin e(e (#i Nic!(ae, a(e A(e7andrei, 'iice(!r (!r O(ga, Ta iana )i Ana" a"ia, prec#m )i a ,nc% pa r# "ervi !ri credinci!)i a# '!" ,ngr!pa e ,n cape(a R!man!vi(!r din ca edra(a S'in$ii Pe r# )i Pave(* P-n% ,n pre.en , r%m%)i$e(e ce(ei de2a reia 'iice, Maria, n# a# '!" de"c!peri e, (a 'e( ca )i ce(e a(e &%ie$a)#(#i care a /#ca r!(#( principa( ,n acea" % ragedie ce ! (eag% pe regina Vic !ria de de" in#( ca"ei imperia(e r#"e 2 $arevici#(#i A(e7ei* O carac eri" ic% n! a&i(% a cerem!nii(!r de"'%)#ra e (a SanF Pe er"&#rg, c# ace" pri(e/, ! c!n" i #ie pre.en$a a pe" e cinci.eci de r#de a(e #( im#(#i R!man!v, m#( e din re e(e r%ind p-n% a #nci ,n e7i(, ,n a'ara grani$e(!r R#"iei* C# ace" pri(e/, #nii din re #rma)ii '!" #(#i $ar a# vi.i a 'aim!"#( cr#ci)% !r A#r!ra, ce( care, prin (!vi #ri(e "a(e de #n, ,ndrep a e a"#pra Pa(a #(#i de Iarn%, a# da "emna(#( ,nceperii #neia din re ce(e mai negre peri!ade din i" !ria R#"iei, dic a #ra "!vie ic%* N# ,ncape ,nd!ia(% c% ace) i mem&ri ai 'ami(iei imperia(e a# av# ! de!"e&i % "a i"'ac$ie a"i" -nd (a c!(ap"#( regim#(#i c!m#ni" , dar n# (a 'e( de ,nc-n a$i a# '!" a #nci c-nd '#nera(ii(e

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"%v-r)i e d#p% a -$ia ani, pen r# $ar#( Nic!(ae, "!$ia )i c!piii (!r, n# "2a# &#c#ra de pre.en$a )i de apr!&area d#3!vnicea"c% a pa riar3#(#i din SanF Pe er"&#rg* E( a privi !a % acea" % cerem!nie drep ! parad% '%r% "en", ,n r#c- an eri!r ,)i dec(ara"e ,n n#mer!a"e r-nd#ri ,nd!ie(i(e privind e'icaci a ea iden i'ic%rii !"emin e(!r '!) i(!r "#verani ai R#"iei pe &a.a ana(i.ei A+N* +in p%ca e, ! a"emenea a i #dine, mai a(e" din par ea #n#i ,na( pre(a , vine "% dem!n" re.e 2 (a apr!ape /#m% a e de "ec!( de c-nd Ba "!n )i CricF " a&i(ea# " r#c #ra m!(ec#(ei A+N )i (a pe" e #n veac de (a rede"c!periea e!rii(!r a"#pra eredi %$ii, a(e (#i Mende( 2 c% m#( e min$i, c3iar )i a(e #n!r !ameni c!n"idera$i 0(#mina$i1, n# "#n capa&i(e "% ,n$e(eag% 'a"cinan e(e c!ne7i#ni a(e gene icii* Pen r# ace) i !ameni, ! ce n# ,n$e(eg, n# e7i" a )i ! ceea ce e" e ine7p(ica&i( pare "% $in% de mirac!( )i n# de capi !(e a(e ) iin$ei pe care ei n# "2a# prea !" eni "% (e parc#rg%*** La ,ncep# #( mi(eni#(#i III, r#)ii re"im ,nc% di'ic#( %$i ,n e(a&!rarea #n!r " r#c #ri ec!n!mic!2"!cia(e " a&i(e, care "%2i a/# e "% dep%)ea"c% eri&i(a cri.% ad#"% de #n regim ! a(i ar, ,n !a e d!menii(e de ac ivi a e* E" e a)adar c# a - mai regre a&i( 'ap #( c% m!men #( "!(emn din i#(ie ;@@< n# a ad#" c# "ine d!ri a rec!nci(iere na$i!na(% pe care re,n3#marea #( im#(#i $ar r#" ar 'i imp(ica 2!* Ki c# "ig#ran$% ce(e mai ,n v-r" % din re r#de(e $ar#(#i pre.en e (a cerem!nie )i2a# da "eama c% !&"c#ran i"m#( re(igi!", #na din re principa(e(e ca#.e a(e pr%&#)irii dina" iei R!man!v, era ,nc% pre.en , ,n pa riar3a(a R#"ie, c3iar )i d#p% )ap e decenii de dic a #r% r!)ie, ad%#g-nd#2"e n#mer!a"e(!r pr!&(eme c# care acea" % $ar% "e c!n'r#n % ,n pre.en * Remem!r-nd .i(e(e "#m&re a(e Rev!(#$iei )i r%.&!i#(#i civi(, #rma e de er!area g#(ag#(#i " a(ini" , !&"erv%m c% #n regim a# !cra ic a '!" ,n(!c#i de #n#( )i mai !pre"iv, care n# a ad#" nimic &#n nici p!p!r#(#i r#" )i nici ,n regii (#mi, prin p!(ari.area p(ane ei ,n d!#% &(!c#ri an ag!ni" e* Pen r# c%, ana(i.-nd (#cr#ri(e ,n m!d emeinic, nimeni n# p!a e neg(i/a 'ap #( c% m#( e din re !r!ri(e pe rec# e ,n "ec!(#( 66 "e da !rea.% #n!r ce(#(e min#"c#(e, prin in ermedi#( c%r!ra "!&ra regin% Vic !ria a ran"mi" 3em!'i(ia #rma)i(!r "%i de "pi$% &%r&% ea"ca***

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