Summary

In Chapter 26, Mrs. A assists Sofya in her escape from the estate. She travels to Petrograd, having received a ride from a goat farmer. He shares news with Sofya that “the tsar had given up his crown and was being held under house arrest by the provisional government” (205). Sofya arrives at Alexander Palace after midnight, remaining hidden from the guards and entering through the unlocked chapel. She goes to the tsarina’s inner sanctum, where Olga, Tatiana, and the tsarina are confined to the Lilac Room. The tsarina, who had already been in poor health, has deteriorated.

Sofya recounts her family’s hostage situation in Malinov. She is fearful that Max has forgotten her and that he believes Varinka is his mother. The tsarina informs her that she received letters from Afon and Eliza. The tsarina promises to contact the Winter Palace through...