nd there were whispers
behind the scenes of how this must be one of the closing dramas of this
lady's reign.

The curtain parted and the comedy began. At first the audience paid but
scant attention to the play, but soon a severe glance from the Duchess
silenced the whispering crowd.

Madame de Ruth's laughter led the chorus of approval at each subtle
speech, and they said 'Ah oui! que c'est fin!' when she said it, for they
did not trust their own judgment. The Duke of Zollern leaned his chin on
the back of his hands, which he had crossed over the porcelain handle of
his stick. He was not amused; he thought it dull, which it was. The
Duchess paid no attention to the play; she was watching, in her ponderous
way, the marked respect and affection which Eberhard Ludwig succeeded in
showing Madame de Geyling even through his acting, and she suffered, this
poor, dull woman. Madame de Stafforth sat near her, saying nothing as
usual. Friedrich Graevenitz stood leaning against the pillar by the
entrance to the parterre, looking handsome and sombre. _La Coupe
Enchantee_ went on its gay, subtle way, and was followed by an
allegorical dance--a medley of gods and goddesses, of conventional
shepherds and shepherdesses; a graceful enough conceit withal, but
involved and not very amusing. At the end there came the only scene which
appeared to interest her Highness Johanna Elizabetha: the little
Erbprinz, her son, came on the stage dressed as Mars the God of War, and
was greeted with homage from the other gods. Poor Johanna Elizabetha
applauded and kissed her hands to him, while she recounted to Madame de
Stafforth a hundred details of the child's health.

The curtain fell, and the audience prepared to depart. Disappointment was
rife, for the stranger had failed to appear, and it seemed that the
comedy was finished. The Duchess, who had been seated in the foremost
row of chairs, was already moving away followed by her suite, when the
musicians recommenced to play, and it was whispered through the
assemblage that the Envoi had yet to be performed. Very slowly the
curtain was drawn aside and a darkened stage disclosed. For a moment the
music ceased, then took up a haunting melody as a tall, white figure
approached down the almost unlit stage. It was a young woman in flowing,
classic draperies--a goddess she looked; and after the mincing
shepherdesses and their artificial, conventional mannerisms, this woman
came as a breath from Nature'