414 VISITS TO MADAGASCAR chap, xv, 
prince’s breast, and the book he held, caused them to marvel 
quite as much as the features of their countenances. They 
had moved very slightly, and the photograph was not so 
good as that of the single figures; but it was passable, and 
afforded them great satisfaction. I then took a full-length 
figure of the prince himself, in his uniform and cocked 
hat. It came out tolerably well; the figure was more easy 
and natural than those previously taken, but the face not so 
good. 
I had no screen or shade, and had not been able to provide 
any better place for my sitters than the open air, on the 
western or shaded side of my house. Towards ten o’clock 
the sun had become so high and powerful, that I could not 
proceed without more arrangements than I had then time 
to make. I therefore asked my visitors to remain, and 
partake of some refreshment; and, breakfast being ready, 
we were just sitting down, when a messenger came from the 
palace to say that the queen had inquired for the prince. 
He therefore left, but returned in less than half an hour. 
We all felt much at our ease. The princess said, perhaps 
the queen would send for her; but if so, the likenesses were 
taken. Our breakfast, though very plain, was not declined. 
My visitors were communicative and agreeable. The princess 
took some tea and biscuits, and some other European cakes, 
sopping her biscuit in her tea, and apologising for not taking 
anything else on account of the pain in her face. They both 
repeated their expressions of regret that I was to leave them 
so soon, and said the same feeling was shared by many of the 
officers ; that it was not owing to anything that had occurred 
since my arrival, but had been fixed before I sent my ap¬ 
plication to prolong my stay. They also expressed their 
hopes that I might visit them again. I repeated my thanks, 
and assured them that, from the expressions of goodwill they 
had so uniformly given, I was persuaded that my prolonged 
