Page:Harper's, "Diplomatic society" (1907).djvu/3



"March 10. "Of course now C's incog. is at end! He went to-day to Stackelberg. who sent him to the Empess's aide-de-camp. He delivered the important letter into his hands, and explained that, having no uniform, he could not present himself before the Empress. The aide-de-camp said the uniform was of no portonce, 'Nons sommes à la campagne ici,' so now poor C. is awaiting her orders. Moreover, he heard to-day of the arrival here of Prince Charles of Prussia, a brother of the Empress, who comes incog. He has telegraphed to Brassier about it."

"March 12. "We did some business in town today, and I tried on my new hat. It is a present from Sir Edward Buxton, who told me to choose the best and most pensive one I could find at Nice! It is a sort of wide-awake in brown straw, with two long black feathers that meet behind. There, is also a deep fall of imitation black lace all round, which I do not like. but it is useful with the high winds here as it serves for the purpose of a veil. I told Sir Edward I hoped it wouldn't quite ruin him, but it was very expensive. He said he hoped it was expensive, and was most kind about it.

"The next day was Mrs. J's birthday and we were all to dine with her. Thing's did not go smoothly, however, for just as we were setting out to join the party, C. received his orders to go to the Empress at one. We set off immediately to try and secure a carriage, but it was the King' of Sardinia's birthday as well as Mrs. J.'s, and he could only get a cab, all the carriages being engaged for the Te Deum. As he had no idea when he would be at liberty again, we parted, and R. and I went, on to the Buxtous'. The audience went off very well it seems. The Empres, was very