2 74 H.I.M. The Empi^ess of Austria. 



joined her sister, the ex-Queen of Naples, in the 

 Grafton country, the ex-Queen having commenced 

 hunting there before Christmas. 



Easton Neston House, with its fine stabHng, 

 was taken for the Empress and suite ; but so 

 numerous w^as the latter that some of the gentle- 

 men-in-waiting had to be accommodated in Tow- 

 cester, about a mile distant. 



On the arrival of the Empress, on a Monday, 

 a private day w^as arranged with the hounds in 

 order that Her Majesty might lose no time in 

 commencing the longed-for sport. 



On Tuesday Wakefield Lawn was the fixture, 

 and as good news spreads quickly a number of 

 people assembled from all parts ; and of course 

 there was a goodly show of ladies anxious to • 

 welcome so lovely a specimen of their sex. 



Colonel FitzRoy of Grafton Regis did the 

 honours as Master of the hunt, in the absence of 

 the Duke of Grafton, who was abroad, and of 

 Lord Charles FitzRoy, who was in attendance 

 upon Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor. 



The ex-Queen of Naples brought the Empress 

 to me, and introduced me to Her Majesty. 



The Empress, addressing me, said, " It is all 

 through you, Mr. Elliott, that I have come to 

 England I " 



