286 _ Ten Tears of my Life. 



I had, of course, to make many calls, and go to many places. 

 On the 24th we went to the Opera to see the ballet ' Fantasca,' 

 which was beautiful. The Queen was present, and with her 

 in her box was Archduke Leopold, the brother of the Emper- 

 ors of Austria and Mexico. The family likeness of this brother 

 brought back to me sad reminiscences of Mexico, and I felt 

 very much oppressed by the thought that I should have to 

 meet him next day at a party given in his honour by her 

 Majesty. 



The King, Queen, Crown Prince, and Crown Princess, and 

 about one hundred and twenty persons were present. The 

 manner in which I was received by all the members of the 

 the Royal Family was even kinder than usual, and must have 

 been noticed by the Archduke, for when we on his desire had 

 been presented to him, he acknowledged our services rendered 

 to his brother in Mexico in such ostentatious language, that I, 

 though of course much flattered, still felt somewhat annoyed, 

 and the more so as many things the Archduke said about 

 Mexico grated on my feelings, being made unusually sensitive 

 by the family likeness of the Prince to his brother. I was 

 glad when that conversation was over. 



Next day I received a note from the Crown Princess, who 

 wanted to see me at seven o'clock p.ri., and accordingly I 

 drove to the palace. When I had entered the room the attend- 

 ing lady of honour and chamberlains Avere dismissed, and I 

 remained alone with their Royal Highnesses, who were so 

 extremely kind to me that I felt quite affected. I remained 

 about half an hour. ^Vhen taking my leave the Crown Prin- 

 cess kissed me and I kissed her hand. The Crown Prince 

 accompanied me to the foot of tlie stairs, and kissed my hand 

 before all the servants, an honour which was as much em- 

 barrasing to me as it was gratifying. 



On the 27th, in the afternoon, I was in bed before making 

 a toilet for the great reception at Court in the evening, when 

 by the negligence of the waiter in the hotel, and the stupidity 

 of my maid. Baroness Schleinitz was brought to my bedside. 

 I felt much annoyed, but the fine tact and amiability of her 

 Excellency helped me to get over my embarrassment, and I 

 accepted with pleasure her invitation for supper after the 

 grand Court ceremony. 



It was the first time I attended such a great field day at 



