The Queen a Godmother. 275 



remained until the iSthin Ransbach, and though we did not 

 kill a single buck we passed a very pleasant time in the wood, 

 and in quite a romantic shooting-lodge of Couut Herrmann, 

 which reminded me of the time of my camp life. 



On the 2oth we went to Ems, paying our respects to the 

 Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg, and not finding her at home 

 I left the photographs which she had requested. On the Pro- 

 menade, his Majesty the King sent word that he wished to see 

 me. He gave me his hand, walked with me about half an 

 hour, and was very kind and gracious. Both the King and 

 the Queen interested themselves very much about many things 

 of which I imagined they had scarcely time to think. They 

 asked many questions in reference to our domestic life, and 

 that of other officers ; inquired even into details, which all 

 seemed to interest them. When I, some days later, sat at 

 dinner in Ems, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg sent for 

 me, and I went with Jimmy to nay her my respects. 



Mrs. von F had given birth to her usual baby — the 



ninth, I believe — a sturdy little boy, and her Majesty the 

 Queen honoured him with being his godmother. As the 

 Queen wanted to arrange about the christening, she quite un- 

 expectedly desired our attendance in the afternoon of the 27 th. 

 Felix being out shooting, I had to go with Mrs. General von 



S , Countess Haake, who is rather strict, noticed at once 



the absence of my husband, but Colonel von Stiehle, the com- 

 mander of our regiment, had already excused him to her Majesty. 



The christening took place next day in the house of Mr. 



von F , who was one of the chamberlains of her Majesty. 



About fifty persons were present in the dining-room, where an 

 altar had been arranged. The Queen held the heavy little 

 boy, who was called August, during all the service, which 

 lasted nearly twenty minutes, and only gave him up at a cer- 

 tain part of the ceremony, the nature of which did not permit 

 a Protestant to touch the child, for Mr. von F — — was a 

 Catholic. 



In the afternoon of next day we went to a concert given in a 

 public garden in the Queen's Promenade, the Swiss House. 

 Both their Majesties . were present ; I was sitting near the 

 Queen, and the King, friendly as usual, shook hands with 

 me. 



When we next day were sitting in St. Bardara's Convent, 



