130 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



and-bye they would join tlie crowd outside, 

 and then some one of the retainers shouted 

 out that So-and-So wanted to speak with the 

 prince. The prince shouted his wiUingness 

 to receive his visitor, whereupon the woman 

 forced her way into the balcony, while her 

 husband, cap in hand, stood without. Rising, 

 the prince gave her his hand to kiss, and put 

 a great deal of real grace and majesty of 

 manner into his simple reception of his sub- 

 ject. Then, after a few minutes' converse, he 

 would accept her offering of a basket of cream 

 cheese or a couple of chickens, say half a 

 dozen words to her good man, and so dismiss 

 them. 



Twice during our stay greater guests 

 arrived, ladies of neiojhbourino- mao;nates, 

 riding on ambling steeds, and protecting, 

 somewhat needlessly, their sun-proof com- 

 plexions by the use of enormous gingham 

 umbrellas. 



