arm, the others following.

We were fifteen at our table, ten of whom were royalties.

J. did not sit down to supper with us, as it is not the custom in
Sweden for the host to absent himself from the rest of his guests.

Now came the moment for the surprise!

When the royal guests were seated on the dais, sufficient space was
made in front of them, the door opened from a side-room, and the
dancers entered.

I think those sixteen young people showed much self-denial to be
willing to forego the early pleasures of the ball, as they had to do,
and give up the time when others were dancing to being dressed, wigged,
powdered, and painted. I had to put four rooms at their disposal, two
for the ladies with their maids, one for the gentlemen and their
valets, and one for their refreshments and supper.

The shepherds and shepherdesses looked and danced their quadrille
charmingly. The music for this was the mazurka from "Romeo and Juliet."
When the _incroyables_ came in there was a murmur of admiration. They
were beautifully dressed. They wore black satin costumes, and the
ladies had white ruffs round their necks. The gentlemen wore high
collars and lace jabots. Each had a long stick in his hand and a
monocle in his eye. The shepherds stood back while the _incroyables_
danced their quadrille. The music of this was the "Gavotte Louis XIII."
As I had chosen the eight prettiest girls in Stockholm, the effect was
perfectly enchanting. After the second quadrille they joined forces and
danced a _ronde_ to the music of "_Le Galop Infernal_" of "_Orphee aux
Enfers_" (Offenbach). It was a great success, and the King desired them
to dance it over again.

The King thought it must have been a tremendous undertaking, but I told
him that it was no trouble to me, as the ballet-master from the theater
had taught them.

These young people stayed in their pretty costumes for the cotillon,
which commenced directly after their dance.

In Sweden people are not _blase_ as to cotillon favors. They are not
accustomed to receive anything more elaborate than flowers and little
bows, so I think they all went home happy with their gifts.

There is such a queer custom here. During the cotillon, at the same
time with the ices, beer is served, and something they call
_mandel-melck_ (milk mixed with almond essence). The young ladies also
have to be sustained every little while by huge glasses of the blackest
of porter.

The royal guests left at two