Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/198

208 also, are discernable in the still youthful, delicate and trusting countenance. Her manners are lively; the expression of her countenance, sensible and full of soul. The interesting points in the conversation were her inquiries regarding my religious development, and the information which she gave in reply to my inquiries on the formation of the order of Russian Sisters of Mercy, just alluded to. She asked the Emperor Nicholas what he thought of her plan, and he answered,—

“I doubt whether it will be very successful—but you can try!”

The attempt succeeded beyond all expectation. The grand-duchess had merely to select from the members of the servants of Christ, belonging to every class of society, who came forward from the two different churches, to unite themselves under his name, and for his service. But the example which she wished to give them, and which she gave by her own service in the hospitals, and by binding up the wounded, together with the sight of these sufferings and so much misery, affected her nervous system to that degree that she has suffered from it to the present time. I could perceive also from many half-suppressed expressions, that the Grand-Duchess Helena had deeply experienced what suffering is in another way, namely, that of the soul.

It was extremely interesting to me to hear her speak of the great reform—the abolition of serfdom in Russia—which the present emperor, Alexander, has undertaken; and she enabled me more clearly to understand the means by which he, and they who are