Alexandra vehemently refused to grant a divorce .
Nicholas hoped that he could be a widower so he could remarry , as it had been the case of his brother Alexander II , who after his wife 's death married his mistress .
Alexandra vehemently refused to grant a divorce and Nicholas hoped that he could be a widower so he could remarry , as it had been the case of his brother Alexander II , who after his wife 's death married his mistress .