ng-saloons. They
danced it now with conscientious care, Prince Clarence exhibiting as
much _abandon_ as a man could who was dancing with his sister.

But the Court were not sufficiently enlightened to appreciate the
performance. They evidently considered it not only uncouth and
undignified, but more than a little improper, and their general attitude
conveyed that the couple were committing one of those temporary
indiscretions which it was not only etiquette but charity to pass over
in silence.

"Capital!" said King Sidney, clapping his hands at the conclusion.
"Uncommonly well they dance together, eh, my dear--never seen them do it
before."

"And you will never see them do it again, Sidney," replied the Queen;
"for I'm much mistaken if they haven't broken up the Ball!"

She was not very far wrong, for although, after some minutes of
awestruck silence, dancing was resumed, it was carried on with a
restraint and gloom that soon decided the Royal Family to retire from
the Ball Room.

The Queen forbore from expressing her sentiments just then either to her
son or daughter, with the latter of whom, indeed, she seldom, if ever,
ventured to find fault. But she felt that her first evening in the
Palace had not been a brilliant success.

This feeling impelled her to be more ingratiating than ever to her
ladies of the Bedchamber, whose services in disrobing her she was
compelled to accept, though under protest.

"So _much_ obliged!" she said, as they finally withdrew with glacial
ceremony. "Quite ashamed to have troubled you, really! Good-night, dear
Princess, _good_-night. We shall breakfast at 8.30. But _en famille_,
you know--quite _en famille_--so don't _dream_ of coming down!"

"I hope, Sidney," she began later, as he joined her in the Royal
Bedchamber, "I hope you have treated the gentlemen who undressed you
with proper consideration. It is _so_ important.... Good gracious!
What's that you've got on? A night-cap?"

"Those--er--noblemen seemed to consider it the correct thing, my love,
and they've put me on this night-gown, too."

"I see they have. Embroidered all over with impossible animals. You look
a perfect _sight_ in it!"

"I'm told they're--er--hippogriffs, my dear, the--ah--Royal Crest or
emblem or something. I should have much preferred pyjamas myself. But it
seems they are not procurable here."

"Everything in this country is in a disgracefully backward state!"
declared the Queen; "and I can see I s