29G Ten Years of r)iy Life. 



and several persons of the Court, were present. The fireworks 

 over, we all went to the Hotol Prince of Wales, where we had 

 the honour of taking supper with the King and his brother. 

 I sat opposite his Majesty, who presented each of us ladies 

 with a rose. After supper the whole party accompanied the 

 King to his residence. 



Though I was not insensible to the kindness shown to me 

 by everybody and the distinction bestowed on me by the most 

 exalted personages, which would have made many others per- 

 fectly happy, I was as sad as could be when alone, a feeling of 

 dread always hanging over me like a thundercloud. This feel- 

 ing was made worse by reflecting on my position, of which the 

 outside contrasted too strikingly with its real state, and which 

 perhaps was not guessed at by others. I was treated as an 

 equal by persons to whom thousands of thalers were as insig- 

 nificant as were to me so many groschens, and Eieaven knows 

 what trouble I had to keep up appearances, when even the ex- 

 penses for my gloves were more than I could afford. How- 

 ever, I was in for it, and could not retreat, though I shuddered 

 at thinking of the end. I tried to forget it, and to pursue my 

 course with as good a mien as possible. 



It was hard enough, and I was very much vexed when 

 Countess Larisch surprised me next morning in a crying fit, 

 though I had to shake it off and to go to the Promenade, 

 where his Majesty's extreme kindness did not fail to pour oil 

 into my sore heait. 



Felix had invited our set to an evening party at our house 

 in Coblentz. I had invited also Prince Albrecht,. but his Eoyal 

 Highness had to decline, as he had a little party himself. 



I was quite astonished to see in what an excellent manner 

 my husband had made all arrangements. Our party consisted 

 of twenty-one persons. We had a dance, and all were as merry 

 as could be. 



I had, however, an inflammation in my ear, and little Kitty, 

 a baby pup of Jimmy's, which I liad with me that night, knocked 

 against it in such a manner that I became nearly mad with pain. 

 I went next morning with Felix to Bonn, where I had to tay 

 a whole week, but it was^no quiet week either, for Felix's 

 brother came with some other relatives, who had been on a 

 visit to Anholt, and the hereditary Prince was always there. 



On July 6, the Duke and Duchess of Ossuna, Count and 



