Erinnerungen an Leo N. Tolstoi

A long-serving courtier offers intimate reminiscences of her nephew, recalling their first meetings, the development of a close but uneven friendship, shared travels in Europe, and vivid personal anecdotes that reveal his modesty, keen observational instinct, and playful habits. She describes growing estrangement in later years driven by physical distance, his marriage, and deep religious disagreements; she admires his intellect yet criticizes his religious and philosophical writings from her orthodox perspective, while emphasizing continued affection and occasional interventions on his behalf. The memoir mixes portraiture, family anecdotes, and critical reflection on character and beliefs.