adini-nikolaevna: “I liked the girls, they were natural, gay, pleasant and quite confidential

adini-nikolaevna:

“I liked the girls, they were natural, gay, pleasant and quite confidential with me when their mother was not present; when she was there, they always seemed to be watching her every expression so as to be sure to act according to her desires.  I studied each of them in turns.  Olga was not pretty, her face was too broad, her cheek-bones too high, but I liked her open, somewhat brusque way.  Tatiana was taller and more handsome, but also more reserved.  It is said that she was most like her mother in character and that there was a special understanding between them.  Marie was shorter and plumper; she had fine eyes and a pleasant expression, but too broad a mouth somewhat marred an otherwise pleasing face.  I was not much attracted to Anastasia, she had no particular sort of face, and I do not know why, but I would have said that she was rather shy and watchful.  But this may have been only an impression.”

–Queen Marie of Romania on OTMA (The Story of My Life: Marie, Queen of Roumania).