It was a cold winter evening in Saint Petersburg. The Russian Empire watched from its luxurious office in the Winter Palace, gazing through the leaded windows at the great imperial garden bathed in snow. Suddenly, among the bare trees, a figure wrapped in fur glided lightly over the snow. Curious, he went to the window to better observe that young woman with delicate features. Intrigued, he decided to go out to find out the identity of the stranger. He walked stealthily through the thick snow until he was behind her. With gallantry typical of his lineage, he approached and spoke to her with a half smile and a sly glance from the side of his eye. What is such a beautiful maiden doing walking alone through the tsar's gardens? he asked in a cordial but dominant tone. Has he gotten lost on his way to the palace perhaps?