Aleck wanted to stay on in Kiev. Marie and her husband wanted to go to Odessa. There in Odessa, they could visit friends. Their villa was large and would be less crowded than where they were just before. “Odessa was occupied by the Austrian troops but their presence was less noticeable than that of the Germans in Kiev. The Austrian general and the Russian military governor peacefully shared the power in the city. Before the arrival of the Austrian troops, Odessa had also been swept by a wave of Bolshevist cruelties, but for the time being life had settled into comparative order; and save for the high-crowned caps of the Austrian officers on the streets, one would have thought that everything was as it used to be.” (Page 376)
“Further travel was not as yet feasible. Almost all Rumania was in the hands of the Germans; besides, and still more important, we had almost no money. We had to wait. But the constant anxiety as to my father urged me to write to the Kings of Spain and Sweden and to the Queen of Rumania, who was at that time with he court in Jassy.” (Page 376)
Marie and her husband were able to relax some, gain greater health, and they appreciated the hospitality shown them by their host. At the same time, Marie had begun to have “dark premonitions” about her father. (Page 376)
“Success, meanwhile, was decidedly inclining to the side of the Allies. It could now be hoped that this terrible war would end. One heard more often and more insistently of growing discontent in Germany and Austria, and of internal political complications.” (Pages 376-377)
In Odessa, there were alien troops and thus there were times when things would happen there and fear would permeate the area. The heat required that the shudders and blinds be closed in the morning to keep the inside cooler. Thus getting things was easier when getting up early in the morning and taking a nap in the afternoon, with lunch at noon.
There was an afternoon when waking around 4pm to hearing “dull noise” of explosions. (Page 377) Usually so the explosions were in rapid fire. From the garden they could see lots of smoke at the edge of town which was where the ammunition stores were located. By morning, the air was heavy in odors of burning wood and powder. The bits fell around the house, but then, “the big shells began to explode.” (Page 377)
The military governor of the town would call every half hour for updates. The ground would seem to shake. With panic around Marie, she decided to bring a wicker chair to the garden with a book to read.
There was a concern of melanite exploding and creating a tidal wave and no where to go. But it must have been dampened.
Around the end of October 1919, there were rumors that Germany and Austria were becoming more involved in the revolution. Still that did not suggest that a monarchy rule would once again lead Russia. When the rumor was confirmed, Austrian troops left Odessa in a matter of days. There were concerns of increased lawlessness and robberies to come. The Spanish flu epidemic was increasing in the city and many died. Marie and her husband did catch it.
Early November 1919, Marie and her husband still had the flu and in bed. “An unknown Russian officer came to see me from Bessarabia, which at that time had already been annexed by Rumania. This officer had been sent by the chief of the Allied Intelligence Service in Rumania, a Canadian colonel by the name of Boyle, who was then wither in Jassy or in Kishinev. This Colonel Boyle was almost a legendary person, and his fame spread along all the shores of the Black Sea. He enjoyed great influence at that time in Rumania, and by the use of that influence saved many Russians. He had heard from the Russian officers surrounding him of my presence in Odessa and, knowing how dangerous it was for us to stay there, he now sent word that he was ready to help.” (Page 379)
Marie had said they would be ready in a week. She was not fully thinking that a Canadian Colonel would desire to really save them. To her chagrin, the officer did arrive back. “He brought me a letter from the Queen, my cousin, with an invitation to come to Rumania and announced that everything was ready for our departure. A Rumanian officer had come with him, who was also assigned to accompany us.” (Page 379)
‘We were first to go to Kishinev where further instructions awaited us. Our preparations for departure soon were made. On the very eve of our departure a new wave of the "flu” swept the house; our host fell ill and I had another attack of fever.’ (Page 379)
Marie knew that could not delay despite being ill. Changes were occurring and protections were being brought in to protect the people of Odessa. Marie and her husband “were assigned a special carriage in which we were to make the entire trip to Rumania. The two officers travelled with us and also an elderly maid, whom I had engaged a few days before our departure.” (Page 380)
For 60 or 70 miles, things were fine. Then at Razdelnaya, they seemed to have entered war. “Petlura was much stronger than had been expected. His bands had crushed the small detachment of officers and forced them to retreat to Razdelnaya, this very town. Petlura pressed his advantage closely, and was still advancing.” (Page 380)
The train was not allowed to proceed. The carriage in which Marie and her husband were in, were right at the platform. There was no more water in the engine and the water was out of the station.
“Our Russian officer went in search of the commander of the detachment and brought him into the carriage. A courteous young colonel, he somewhat dispelled my doubts. he would be happy, he said, to give us the engine belonging to their troop train. To this, I would not agree; I was afraid of depriving them of their only means of transportation. But the colonel assured me that water would soon be procured and that then they could use our engine. It would be too dangerous, he added, for us to delay that long our departure.” (Page 381)
“Several officers with machine guns were placed on the engine while two others stood guard at the doors of our carriage. When everything was ready the colonel came to ask for permission to start the train.” (Page 381)
When she looked out the window, a line saluted her. Marie was in tears. “She shouted greetings and good wishes.” (Page 381) In turn they took off their caps while the train was leaving.
In Bendery that evening, the frontier of Bessarabia began. The outside was completely dark. Inside the carriage was low lighting with 3 candles being used. It was cold that night. All day Marie had endured a fever.
Marie wanted to thank the volunteer guards, while saying good-bye to them and to Russia. For memory sake, she took the candle to each man so could place in memory each man. Marie wanted to speak but could not.
“These strangers, people I had never seen before, were closer to me now than my own kin; they were a part of my own being; they contained all that I was leaving.” (Page 382)