834 Ten Years of my Life. 



Prince Alfred and I were, sitting in a room, separated ^rom 

 the general dining-room by a%4ass door. In the latter were 

 many officers assembled, of whom several knew me, and 

 amongst ihem was a general. 



When the Prince went away lor a few minutes and I was alone 

 in the room, a doctor from the 8th army corps approached the 

 door, and looking through the glass, made signs and faces at 

 me. I looked away and tried not to take any notice, for the 

 doctor seemed to be somewhat under the influence ot wine. 

 At last he entered and addressed me. I mswered him indig- 

 nantly, and told him ihat he was mistaken — I was not, as he 

 supposed, a Frenchwoman. On this my brothei-in-law came, 

 and the importunate doctor re-entered the g jneral room ; but 

 seeing that something had c^nnoyed me the Prince inquired, 

 and I told him. He became very angry, at once followed the 

 doctor 'and addressed him before all the officers, asking 

 whether he knew who the lady was to whom he had spoken, 

 and being answered in an insolent manner by the doctor that 

 he did not care a straw, the Prince gave him a box on his ear ; 

 and on hearing the case the general and officers said that he 

 had rightly deserved it. The thing had no consequences, for 

 the doctor had to pocket the blow and to apologize into 

 the bargain. 



