322 MEMOIR OF 



was to get to Sandringham from the Wolferton 

 station ? 



"The Prince will send his carriage for you," 

 replied the gallant equerry. 



" Be good enough to write that down in my 

 pocket-book," said Russell, "that there may be 

 no mistake." 



Colonel Ellis did so. 



"Now," said Russell, "please to add 3^our 

 initials." 



The tale travelled into Devonshire, and when 

 it first reached Russell's ears he laughed aloud, 

 saying, " A very good story against me, // only 

 it were true." 



The annual tenants' ball being about to take 

 place on the last night of the year, a flutter 

 of excitement pervaded the neighbourhood for 

 many a mile round Sandringham, and expecta- 

 tion rose, not on tiptoe only, but to fever-heat, 

 in anticipation of that joyous event. It was 

 looked upon as the fete of the season, when the 

 Prince and Princess were wont to mingle merrily 

 in the dance, and delight their country guests 

 not less by the welcome they received than by 

 the simplicity, and almost homeliness of their 

 own manners. No wonder, too, if Russell felt 

 somewhat stirred by the coming event ; nor if, 

 remembering the seventy-eight winters of his 

 life, he might have wished for the magic caul- 

 dron of Medea to restore him again to the vigour 



