in constant fear of his life.

Nicholas never wanted to be a ruler. Those who know him say that he has
become grave and sad in the few months since he came to the throne.

It is said that he is of too gentle a disposition to be able to keep his
ministers in order, and that they quarrel fiercely in his presence, and
show very little respect for him.

According to all accounts, his health is giving way under the constant
worry, and it is reported that he received a shock a few weeks ago, which
so completely upset him, that it brought on his present illness.

He was walking in his gardens, and wishing to speak to one of the men who
was at work, he signalled to him to come to him. The gardener, proud of
his sovereign's notice, ran towards him at full speed. But a sentry, who
had not noticed the Czar's signal, fearing that the man was going to harm
the Emperor, fired his gun at him, and he fell dead at the Czar's feet.

Nicholas was terribly overcome by the dreadful mistake.

Some people say that his present illness is due to anxiety about the
Czarina, who is also ill, and again others say that the wound which
Nicholas received when he was travelling in Japan is the cause.

He was struck by a crazy Japanese, and would have been killed, had not
Prince George of Greece, the son of the present King of Greece, who was
with him, warded off the blow. As it was, the blow was heavy enough to
form a lump on the young man's skull, which has caused him great pain, and
which some people declare is troubling him now.