Pretending that he desired to have the marriage performed according to the ritual of the Greek church, Orloff hired some villains to assume the character of priests and witnesses, and a false ceremony was performed. He told his bride that as their stay in Rome exposed them to remark and criticism, their best course would be to go to some other Italian city and there await the insurrection which was promised to place her upon the throne. They went to Pisa, where Orloff hired a splendid palace and where he played the part of tender and devoted husband.
The Russian squadron under Admiral Gregg had entered the Port of Leghorn, and Orloff, professing that urgent business called him there, invited his wife to accompany him. Upon his arrival they took apartments provided for them at the house of the British Consul, where the Princess was treated with the utmost respect, ladies of the highest rank paying her distinguished attention.
She found herself flattered and courted in a brilliant circle, of which she was the center, and she was completely hoodwinked as to the baseness of her pretended husband. In due time the Princess was decoyed on board one of the vessels of the fleet, being received at the wharf with special honors. She went on board of a boat covered with splendid awnings, where the English Consul and several ladies took seats with her. Count Orloff and Admiral Gregg occupied another boat. As they approached the fleet salutes of artillery were fired and she was greeted with music, the young princess being assured that these honors were paid to her as the heiress to the Russian throne.
When her boat came alongside the ship which she was to enter, a splendid chair was let down, and, seated in this, she was hoisted on deck in great pomp and ceremony. Scarcely had she set foot on deck when she was handcuffed and ordered to descend into the hold. She appealed to her husband for protection, throwing herself at his feet, but he, being simply the tool of Catherine, turned a deaf ear to her entreaties. The next day the ship sailed for Russia, and, upon arriving at St. Petersburg, the Princess was immured in a fortress on the banks of the Neva.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
