I made it to Russia, at last!

This Empire is so huge and so far away, they cannot keep their borders, which are much harder to reach than to cross. But, once you've done this, the worst is yet to come.

I arrived by southwest, and had in mind to board a ship on the Volga River ( since I was so exhausted by my journey).Alas! the whole oblast (region) was in uproar and so insecure!

The Cossacks had rebelled, were joined by the Muslim Bachkirs, as well as myriads of serves and peasants.The country was raided by hords of Cossacks on horseback; both cities and villages were assaulted and burnt by them if unwilling to join the rebellion, or assaulted and burnt by the Imperial Forces if they joined it!

Foreigners like me (as few as they were) were suspected by both parties to be spies. Under the circumstances, I found it necessary to remove my mask, because it attracted more attention than I could afford.( I wear a mask since the day, in Versailles, when I was on the track of my father's presumed agressor, on the verge of meeting him...when someone in the crowd recognised me, shouted my name, and my prey escaped.)

During my Russian travels, I was captured by a brigade of Imperial Forces in a filthy tavern near Tsaritsyne, and jailed. Fortunately, the " natchalnik " (Commander in Chief) of the oblast spoke a little french and I was freed after a week. Later in Saratov, I narrowly escaped being lynched by peasants- the small local German community having saved me.

Eventually, I rallied Saint Petersburg, and strolled along the Nevsky Prospekt, around the Winter Palace, in the gardens and by the banks of the Neva River, searching Colonel SUVOROV, also known as Count Oblonsky, also known as ThomasK Andel, in this amazing city which resembles a gigantic " decor de theatre " .

The same informer who told me that Suvorov had secretly gone to Cornwall when my father was wounded and humiliated there by a mysterious foreigner, left me the message that I could meet the Colonel near the Summer Palace next morning at 9 am. This I did, and indeed there he was, nonchalantly having his morning walk between the green thickets and the marble statues.

I adjusted my mask and went straight to him.He showed no surprise, and I wondered why (Now I know this little french pest of a peasant girl, Sophie something, must have warned him.)

I challenged him for a duel, and his only answer was: " Sir, I have other duties: to my Country, and to her Imperial Majesty the Csarin of All Russias. I refuse to let your personal interest interfere with my obligations, and I shall not accept your insane demand."

I buffeted him with my glove, calling him a coward and a man without honor.

His face grew paler, he clenched his fists, trembling with rage, trying to keep hold of himself, then turned his back on me. As he retreated , I shouted: " You cannot escape me! I will come to your Valse des Fleurs Ball on April the 30th, and by the end of the party, when the clock strikes two, I will challenge you in front of all the Imperial Court!This time, you will have no way out! If you are the man I am looking for, your time has come!!"

Of course, I sense now the Imperial Secret Police is after me. I have taken refuge in Saint Petersburg slums, and change lodging every day.

At night laying on the bed in these miserable rooms, I count the cockroaches on the ceiling. I hear the patter of squeaking rats all around...and I recall our Mansion among the Hydrangeas of Cornwall. I hear the North Sea surf splashing the rocks of its coast. I hear my father's horses whinnying in the meadows.

I wonder how everyone is doing over there, and if they miss me as I miss them.

But then my anger ignites again, and I can't wait until that valse des Fleurs Ball, on April the 30th....