been extravagant for us, but cards for it were sent us by some
hospitable friend. The same attention was shown to Mr. and Mrs. Mann,
who with us presented themselves at the rooms on the appointed evening.

We found them spacious enough, but with no splendor or beauty of
decoration. A space at the upper end of the ball-room was marked off by
rail or ribbon--I cannot remember which. While we were wondering what
this should mean, a brilliant procession made its appearance, led by the
Duchess of Sutherland in some historic costume. She was followed by a
number of persons of high rank, among whom I recognized her lovely
daughters, Lady Elizabeth Leveson-Gower and Lady Evelyn. These young
ladies and several others were attired in Polish costume, to wit,
polonaises of light blue silk, and short white skirts which showed the
prettiest little red boots imaginable. This high and mighty company took
possession of the space mentioned above, where they proceeded to dance a
quadrille in rather solemn state.

The company outside this limit stood and looked on. Among the groups
taking part in this state quadrille was one characterized by the dress
worn at court presentations: the ladies in pink and blue brocades, with
plumes and lappets; the gentlemen in small-clothes, with swords,--and
all with powdered hair.

I first met the Duchess of Sutherland at a dinner given in our honor by
Lord Morpeth's parents, the Earl and Countess of Carlisle. The Great
Duchess, as the Duchess of Sutherland was often called, was still very
handsome, though already the mother of grown-up children. She wore a
dress of brown gauze or barege over light blue satin, with a wreath of
brown velvet leaves and blue forget-me-nots in her hair, and on her arm,
among other jewels, a miniature of the Queen set in diamonds. At one
time she was Mistress of the Robes, but I am not sure whether she held
this office at the time of which I speak. Her relations with the palace
were said to be very intimate and friendly. In the picture of the
Queen's Coronation, so well known to us by engravings, hers is one of
the most striking figures.

We did, indeed, hear that on one occasion the Duchess had kept the Queen
waiting, and that the sovereign said to her on her arrival, "Duchess,
you must allow me to present you with my watch, yours evidently does not
keep good time." The eyes of the proud Duchess filled with tears, and,
on returning home, she sent to the palace a letter resi