The memoirs of Baroness Meyendorff, maid of honor of Empress Maria Alexandrovna and relative of Stolypin, are a real chronicle of the everyday life of the high society of the Empire. A fascinating, but truly tragic story begins in the 19th century and ends in the middle of the 20th century. The baroness's social circle included the entire high society of the Russian Empire - she danced at balls with Emperor Alexander II; was friends with Alexander the Third; was present at the last speech in the Duma of Nicholas II. Talking about what happened behind the walls of the palaces, of which she was a frequent guest, the Baroness sheds light on many unknown details of the private life of the House of Romanov, including the romantic relationships of members of the House with persons of non-royal blood, which was strictly prohibited and severely punished by the laws of the Empire.