Katya & The Prince of Siam

Although this parting may well have been for their common good, Katya understandably felt it deeply and, in a poignant letter of 19th March, intended to reach Elisaveta Ivanovna Chrapovitskya in time for Easter, she confessed her fears for the future and her impatience with her present situation. Unfortunately, Elena Nicholaievna (referred to in shortened form as El. Nick by Katya) had not proved to be a congenial or lively companion:

 

‘I stay on in Singapore in anguish. It is the eleventh day so far. Although El. Nick. is a tender wife and mother, she thinks of nothing but her children and, during the whole day, I have to hear what they have eaten, when they will have a bath and so on. Occasionally we go for a short drive, but still always with the children who are often naughty and capricious. Otherwise she just sits on the terrace or in her room where she even has dinner as she is afraid to leave her precious children with the nursemaids. And, although I feel great respect of such an ideal mother, to tell you the truth I am almost dying in this nursery atmosphere, particularly as we have no idea when we will be leaving.

‘

She really amazes me sometimes for, although it’s true she is twelve years older than me, she behaves like a woman of eighty, and if she hears words like “fool” or “hell”, she turns red with embarrassment, and I realise I am shocking her ears all the time. But never mind, she must get accustomed to it. I’m not going to change myself. I feel we are from different planets and her presence is no help to me as, apart from missing her husband, she says she is quite satisfied to be here – I cannot stand this atmosphere much longer without life around me.

‘Lek complains in his many telegrams that I don’t write to him, but so far I’ve received no letters from him and I can’t think why this is so.

‘He promised me that I would be staying here only two weeks, but I shall be finished soon. He doesn’t say a word about our departure in his telegrams. I am in despair. I would pay anything to escape from here and spend an evening with you, it would put life into me at once.

‘In spite of all my love for Lek, Singapore seems a hell to me though, if he had been with me I should not have felt so sad, but I am not only far away from others I love, but far away from him.