Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/98

 four grooms in the imperial livery. A gilt coach followed, drawn by six bay horses with gilt harness, and containing the Master of Ceremonies of the Tsarevitch's court.

A larger gilt coach came after the first, in which were the Cushion Bearer and the Blanket Bearer,—one of them being Count Kotzebue, the Governor of Poland, and the other Prince Suwaroff. Then appeared a third gilt coach. In this was the Mistress of Ceremonies of the Tsarevna's court, and the baby,—"L'Auguste Grand-Duc Nouveau-Né,"—about whom all this trouble was taken!

The equipage which carried him had outriders. Each of the carriages had postilions, coachmen, two men in the rumble, and three servants walking in the road on either side, dressed in the imperial livery. Some of the more prudent held up the skirts of their long, fur-lined coats, as they marched through the snow, thus presenting rather an absurd appearance. Another company of Cossacks brought up the rear; and the whole procession went, at an impressive, funereal pace, towards the palace.

Judith and I were very gorgeous in our court dresses. It seemed almost a pity that we could not always present such a fine appearance. We both wore long trains, and our dresses were low in the neck, as etiquette requires for all court ceremonies.

We were admitted at the Door of the Council of the Empire. Many people were taking off their wraps as we entered, changing themselves from shapeless fur