Dr. Marek nodded in the affirmative, confirming, as a doctor, what he had said.

– And what? – asked out of a state of stupor Robert.

Kshesinskaya looked slyly at the emboldened American and said:

– Pour this American for the courage of my favorite cognac. Let's see what he can do.

– Maybe a glass of champagne? Josephine was concerned.

– Not! Today I will drink cognac with this young man, ”Kshesinskaya said in a tone that did not require objection, and signaled to the servants.

Everyone was poured a velvety drink with a golden-chocolate tint into wide glasses.

Matilda twisted the glass, sniffed its walls for a long time and drank in small sips, eating sweets and fruits, after which she ordered to repeat the procedure.

– Well, what killed the king? the reporter didn't hesitate.

Matilda glanced at the people present, then carefully looked at Robert and said meaningfully:

– Conscience!

So saying, she gestured for the servants to refill their glasses.

– Is that enough for today? Josephine hesitated.

– Yes, Madame Matilda, large doses of alcohol will only harm you. Do you want me to add work? Dr. Marek added demagogically.

Kshesinskaya looked at them ironically.

– Do you want to extend my longevity with your ostentatious care and other medical porn? I advise you not to disgrace yourself in front of our guest from America.

Kshesinskaya repeated the gesture, and the servants obediently obeyed her.

– On that day, your grandfather arrived in the Crimea early in the morning by train from St. Petersburg, – Matilda began to recall, – and already at noon they had the most intimate conversations with the king. So sincere that the tsar managed to tell about how he instructed me to seduce Tchaikovsky.

Hearing this, everyone raised their heads in surprise.

– Mala! – Josephine said, without having time to bite off a piece of Italian cake from amazement, – but you don’t compose by any chance?

– Jose! Would I start writing in anticipation of the second hundred of my life?

Everyone looked at each other.

– I see that you do not want to hear the details? Well, whatever you want. I won't tell you anything more.

Kshesinskaya got up from her chair, went to the piano and began to lightly play melodies from Chopin's nocturnes.

– We really want to, – Robert was alarmed, – please continue. We are listening to you carefully. So the tsar persuaded you to seduce the composer Tchaikovsky. How could he convince you and what reason did he have for this?

– Very simple. He promised me all the title roles in the upcoming ballet season. How could I refuse such a gift?

– Well, for what purpose did he go for it?

Matilda stopped playing the piano for a moment and looked at her audience with a smile.

– Our cunning king wished to kill two birds with one stone at once. Firstly, to defame me to Niky and separate us, and secondly, he really hoped that after my hugs and charms, Tchaikovsky would get a taste and take the path of normal relations with the female sex.

The audience looked at each other in shock.

– Why are you so surprised? The whole empire knew about my love affair with Niky, and there were always bad rumors about Tchaikovsky's strange behavior.

Kshesinskaya finished playing Chopin and began to type the notes of the well-known "Chizhik-Pyzhik".

Do you remember this crazy song? Pyotr Ilyich composed it when he put on the black and yellow uniform of the law school, which was located on the Fontanka.

– And what, they drank vodka in this school? Josephine chuckled.

Kshesinskaya laughed ironically.

– You can immediately see Zhozya that you were born in the era of Marxism-Leninism. Then on the Fontanka, in the basement, the tavern was where the future lawyers would go. True, Tchaikovsky hardly drank vodka, but the song about the fawn-fawn took root there.

– Well, who is to blame that you, Malya, were born in the time of Tsar Pea and remember the Old Testament details? – Josephine said with mock resentment, provoking Kshesinskaya to more significant memories.

– I remember a lot of things, – the former prima said meaningfully.

– Okay, we are well aware of your intimate relationship with members of the royal family. Better tell about how you seduced Tchaikovsky?

– Very simple. Early in the morning I went to the maestro's apartment and immediately applied the most reliable method.

– Which?

– Women's cry, turning into hysterics. Works flawlessly on men.

Yes, but you need a good reason to cry. Tchaikovsky himself could not offend you so much as to bring you to hysteria.