o the two ladies on the
_taborets_. The _quadrille d'honneur_ commenced almost immediately.
Count Wimphen approached the Queen, making the deepest of bows, offered
her his hand, and led her to her place on the floor. M. de Keudell and
the Countess Wimphen took their places opposite the Queen. There were
only two other couples. Every one stood while this quadrille was being
danced.

The Queen looked exquisite, and seemed to be in the best of spirits.
She was the _point de mire_ of all eyes. She wore a superb gown of
light-blue brocade, the front entirely trimmed with old Venetian lace.
Her necklace and tiara were of enormous pearls and diamonds. She was
truly a vision of beauty and queenly grace.

After the _quadrille d'honneur_ the dancing became general. The Queen
first talked to the Ambassadresses, then to the wives of the Ministers,
sitting down on the bench beside the lady she desired to converse with,
the one on the other side moving on discreetly to make more room for
the Queen.

The King never came anywhere near the ladies, but talked only with the
gentlemen, frequently keeping one by his side and addressing him while
he talked with another.

The dancing continued until the Queen had returned from a tour of the
other _salons_, where she had been talking with those assembled there.
Re-entering the ballroom, preceded as always by her chamberlains and
followed by her ladies, she joined the King, and both, bowing
graciously as if to say good night, retired.

[Illustration:
QUEEN MARGHERITA
Mother of the present King of Italy as she appeared in 1886. The tiara
was a present from the King on the preceding Christmas. In the necklace
are some of the crown jewels, pearls and six remarkable emeralds.]

ROME, _February, 1881_.

Dear ----,--Mrs. Elliot brought Ouida to see me on my reception-day.
Ouida is, I am afraid, a little bit of a _poseuse_, but geniuses have
privileges which cannot be endured in ordinary people. She was dressed
with a lofty disregard of Roman climate and its possibilities, and in
utter defiance of common sense. She wore a dress open at the throat,
with short sleeves, and the thinnest of shoes and stockings, which she
managed to show more than was quite necessary. She spoke in an affected
voice, and looked about her continually as if people were watching her
and taking notes.

Among the ladies of the Queen here are three Americans who have married
Italians and have entered the charmed cir