56 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



what he was writing about thoroughly, spoke, 

 as a land in which travel would be somewhat 

 dangerous, as well as interesting. In the 

 meanwhile it was nearly time for early risers 

 to tarn in, so Frank and I made our way 

 upstairs amidst a chorus of ' good-nights ' 

 from our host of newly- acquired friends. But 

 the hospitable inhabitants of Kutais had not 

 done with us yet. In our rooms we found a 

 messenscer with a card from the Princess 



A , and a message to the effect that the 



Princess was anxious to make our acquaint- 

 ance, and would esteem it kind of us if we 

 would come and sup with her. The messenger 

 would conduct us to her house. Now though 

 the hour was more suo-o^estive of bedtime 

 than a first call, cards from princesses had 

 never been so common with Frank and myself 

 as to warrant us in declining the invitation; 

 and though we jostled each other at the little 

 mirror in our room only to come to the con- 



