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788 intimate, but the members of one legation are almost relations. After the Palavicini we went to see Mme. La Martaera, wife of the General; she is an Englishwoman.

"In the evening we went to M. de Castro's, the Spanish minister. It was not a large party. I had seen Mme. de Castro at the Duchess's, and as she is a new arrival, I had to present which was rather amusing. Mme. de Castro, her stepdaughter, is a very pretty girl, and looked charming in one of those coiffures one used to see at Laure's; a great plait of black velvet all up one side of the head, and a bunch of red roses stuck at the other; she had a white dress. Mme. de .Castro can hardly speak a word of French; otherwise she receives very well, and they have a new house perfectly got up. M. de Castro—tall, and much decorated with broad ribbons and orders—proved almost a rival for the Duke. By the way, the Duke was most gracious, apologized for not having called yet, and finally begged that C. and would dine with them on Sunday, 'en petit comité' All the people here shake hands just as in England, young ladies and all. The Comtesse Colioblano was covered with diamonds and magnificent lace.; she called C., just. as we were going away, to tell him we must come to her evening receptions. My friend the Marquise d'Arvilars was there, and the Comtease Robilant, who was complimentary about my toilette. I had on the blue gown with the black lace and the dear little bows, and the coiffure from Laure. Altogether I amused myself very well—the worst is over; I know a few people now, and they certainly are all very kind. At present. as it is all new, I think it rather fun, but (J. says I shall get dreadfully tired of always seeing the same people by and by. C. has not yet made his appearance at the Club, to the amazement of Kolochine. Prince Charles of Prussia arrives here to-day; M. Uebel went yes- terday to Genoa to meet him. M. Kolochine gives a farewell repast to his friends this evening, and to-morrow it is not unlikely the Chief may give a breakfast to the Prince, in which case I should have to go alone to Mme. d'Arvilars's reception, which I by no means wish. Diplomacy is decidedly a wonderful career for 'l'impravu.'"

"March 29. "Yesterday I got a note from C. saying that the Chief would receive the Prince and the corps diplomatique that evening, and that I was to prepare my dress. C. came in late, having been very busy, the Chief with the Prince all day, and everything left to him. We went out immediately to call on Mme. de Castro. after her party, as we should most likely meet her in the evening; then we drove to the railway for C. to shake hands with Count Paar, the Austrian minister, who was departing. 'Chemin faisant' C. gave me my instructions; I was to receive. When the Prince arrived (he was to dine with the King) all the gentlemen of the legation were to meet him at the foot of the stairs. I was to be forthcoming at. once, in order that M. Brassier might present me, and I was not to forget the 'altesse royale,' or we should all be undone! If the Prince spoke to me in German, I was to say, 'Aufzuwarten Euer Königliehe Hoheit.' I felt decidedly alarmed. but it was no use being nervous, and although I devoutly wished the Prince had put off his journey for a week or two, I tried to take things quietly. We found Mme. de Castro looking most charming in a black mantilla; she is twenty-two, only four years older than her stepdaughter, has only been married fifteen months, and has only just arrived here; we sympathize together, and although we can't talk much, as her French is very deficient, we look kindly at each other and are great friends. After dinner I put on the embroidered dress W. brought from Broussa, and the red roses, and we drove to the legation quite early, so as to be there before any arrivals. Son Excellence begged me de re'installer' and to consider myself quite at home. The Duc and Duchesse de Gramont were the first to arrive, and I almost hoped Mme. de Gramont would.undertake some part of the receiving, as she has promised to do, I believe, for the ball; however, it was not so. We all went into a second drawing-room, and there Brassier brought all the ladies to me.—'Volià la maltresse de maison!' It must be said that the Chief does not do things- by halves, and yesterday I had all the honors. C. brought up the young ladies. in the rear. The company was very