His wife not being of royal birth the marriage was what is called "by the left hand," and Alexander only consented to it with the understanding that Constantine at the same time relinquished his title to the crown. It is probable that the Tsar, appreciating the fantastic character of his brother, was convinced that it would not be for the best interests of the empire for him to rule it, and, possibly, feared that his acts, should he come to the throne, might create the same sort of disturbance which had marked the unfortunate reign of his father.
However this may be, he seems to have made this marriage a pretext for excluding Constantine from the succession, and it is only fair to say that the latter seems never to have regretted the result of the compact. The agreement had been secret, probably known only to the Emperor, his mother and the two brothers most concerned. The act of abdication was duly signed, sealed and deposited with the Council of State, to be opened only after Alexander's death.
During his last illness Alexander had gone to the Crimea where the result was awaited with great anxiety, his condition being well understood by the public. Near the end he apparently made a remarkable change for the better, and a service of thanksgiving was ordered in the Royal Chapel, but in the midst of the Te Deum a messenger arrived and entering the church announced Alexander's death. The Empress-Mother fainted from the shock and her first words upon recovering were, "Poor Russia." She probably feared that Constantine would repent his act of abdication and that strife for the crown might ensue.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
