anastasiaromanovs:“They were waiting for Marya Dmitryevna Akhrosimova, known in society as “le ter
anastasiaromanovs: “They were waiting for Marya Dmitryevna Akhrosimova, known in society as “le terrible dragon.” A lady who owed her renown not to her wealth or her rank, but to her mental directness and her open, unconventional behaviour. Marya Dmitryevna was known to the imperial family; she was known to all Moscow and Petersburg, and both cities, while they marveled at her, laughed in their sleeves at her rudeness, and told good stories about her. Nevertheless, all without exception respected and feared her.” -War and Peace, Part I, Section XV -- source link