… before going to bed I want to tell you again … that I love you madly and am happy to love you and belong to you alone forever. I hope you will have a good night’s rest and I also. Alas, why can’t we go to bed together ? I kiss and embrace my treasure passionately. I love you madly.
Alexander II, the Emperor of Russia (1818-1881), in a letter to his mistress and a future morganatic wife, Princess Ekaterina Dolgorukova (”Katya”, 1847-1922) [ dated 7th May 1870 ] (via finita--la--commedia)



















