_Sunday, April 29th._--In the evening a long conversation with Their Majesties on the subject of Alexis Nicolaïevitch’s lessons. We must find a way out since we have no longer any tutors. The Czar is going to make himself responsible for History and Geography, the Czarina will take charge of his religious instruction. The other subjects will be shared between Baroness Buxhœveden (English), Mlle. Schneider (Arithmetic) Dr. Botkin (Russian) and myself.
_Monday, April 30th._--This morning the Czar greeted me with: “Good morning, dear colleague”--he has just given Alexis Nicolaïevitch his first lesson. Always the same serenity, the same anxiety to be agreeable to those who share his captivity. He is an example and an encouragement to us.
I have given Tatiana Nicolaïevna the article in the _Journal des Débats_ of April 18th, 1917, signed A. G. (Auguste Gauvain) for her parents to read.
It is apparent that the régime to which we are being subjected is becoming continually more severe.
_Tuesday, May 1st._--For the first time Russia celebrates May 1st. We hear the bands and see the processions of demonstrators pass along the park railings.
This evening the Czar returned to me the copy of the _Journal des Débats_ dealing with his abdication. He told me it had given the Czarina pleasure to read this article, which tried to be fair to him. Its tone was a contrast to that of the English papers.
_Thursday, May 3rd._--The Czar told me this evening that the news has not been good for several days. The Extremist parties demand that France and England should declare themselves ready to make peace “without annexations or indemnities.” Deserters are becoming more and more numerous and the army is melting away. Will the Provisional Government be strong enough to continue the war?
The Czar is following events with acute interest; he is anxious, but still hopes that the country will pull itself together and remain faithful to the Allies.
_Sunday, May 13th._--This is the second day we have spent making a kitchen garden on one of the lawns of the park. We began by taking up the turf, carrying away the sod on barrows and arranging it in heaps. Everyone helped: the family, ourselves, and the servants, who for some time have been going out with us. Several soldiers of the guard even have come to help us!