lect, only' les chefs de ntission '—no secretaries or attachés were admitted—and the tiptop people here. There was a false alarm of the Prince arriving, and a vain rush of M. Brasslet and his two secretaries to the stairs. Finally he came, however, and C. fetched me alone into the first drawing-room. The Prince was standing before the fire, red-faced and military-looking. Brassier presented me; I curtsied as low as I could. He made a stiff little bow, and said in a short. abrupt way, 'Vous ètes Francaise?' 'Oui, votre Altesse Royale.' 'Et marifée depuis pen de temps?' 'Depuis deux mois. vetre A. R.' Brasslet presented C. 'Vous êtes beaucoup de frères, je erois?' in the same tone. I did not stop to hear more. for the Chief told me that was all and I might go back to the ladies. I cannot say I felt much flattered, but C. was extremely pleased with the whole affair, and assured me it was a great honor to be presented first and all alone, and that all the other ladies envied me.
"The gentlemen of the corps diplpomatique were then presented, and the Prince came into the second drawing-room. We all stood up. and M. Brassier took him round, beginning' by the Duchesse de Gramont and named all the ladies. He shook hands with Mme. de Robilant and one or two others—old acquaintances, I suppose—and began to chat very amicably with some of the dowagers. The dresses were very splendid. M. Brasslet had written to the Marquise Palavieini to put on all her
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diamonds, and she really was ablaze. She had a yellow gown covered with old lace and diamonds, a scarlet scarf. Turkish, embroidered in gold, a necklace of the biggest pearls I ever saw. row upon row, and a coronet of diamonds. Any one else would have been crushed by such a dress. but it would take a great deal to crush the Palavicini, and she went about, handsome and dashing, carrying it all as if it were a feather's weight. I can fancy people admiring her extremely. She keeps her daughter, who is rather a nice-looking girl and very simply dressed, in great order. The 'Prince stayed a tremendous time, which was in so far satisfactory that I suppose he would have gone away if he had not been amused. According to etiquette nobody could leave before him, and it was getting very slow, when at last he got up asked M Brassier's permission to retire, and making a, short bow to the company in general, walked out of the room, followed by his able-de-camp. The latter is rather nice, and I am very proud of having presented him to Mme. d'Arvilars, entirely on my own responsibility, He certainly seemed very anxious to make her acquaintance, but as I had not the slightest idea of his name, I think it was plucky of me to volunteer the introduction. I made the the acquaintance of several ladies, who have since called on me without waiting for my previous visit. In short the Prince's, coming and my receiving' him seem to have made a great effect. C. says it is dreadful humbug, but
