s faces his
ridiculous tin bolts held in white kid-glove hands, and facetiously
knocking them on the head. He happened, while talking to a lady, to be
right in front of the young Prince. A friend tapped him discreetly on
the shoulder, giving him a significant look. "What is the matter?"
said Mr. X, in a loud voice, glaring at his friend. A gentle whisper
informed him that he had better turn round and face the Prince.
"Heavens!" said the ungracious Jupiter. "I can't help it; I'm always
treading on their toes" (meaning the Prince's).

Speaking of indiscretions, I was told (I cannot say whether it is
true) that Mrs. Z, one of our compatriots, having met the Emperor in
Norway, where their yachts were stationed, and feeling that she was on
familiar enough terms, said to him:

"Is it not lovely in Paris? Have you been there lately?"

"No, I have not," answered the surprised Kaiser.

"Oh, how queer! You ought to go there. The French people would just
love to see you."

"Do you think so?" said the Emperor with a smile.

Thus encouraged, she enlarged on her theme, and, speaking for the
whole French nation, continued, gushingly, "And if you would give them
back Alsace and Lorraine they would simply adore you."

The Kaiser, looking at her gravely, as if she had solved a mighty
problem, said, "I never thought of that, madame."

The dear lady probably imagines to this day that she is the apostle of
diplomacy. She came to Berlin intending (so she said) to "_paint
Berlin red_." She took the list of court people and sent out
invitations right and left for her five-o'clock teas, but aristocracy
did not respond. Berlin refused to be painted.

BERLIN, _September, 1905_.

Dear ----,--The Kaiser went to Copenhagen on the _Hohenzollern_. Johan
and I met Frederick and Nina and stayed with them during the Emperor's
visit. There was a very large dinner at Fredensburg, a dinner at
Charlottenberg (the Crown Prince's _chateau_) in honor of the Kaiser.
Prince Carl, who is about to be made King of Norway, was there.
Princess Maud was in England. The King seemed to be in the best of
spirits, and the two sovereigns laughed and joked together. The
Emperor has a great affection for the King, and loves to show his
respect and devotion. He often puts his arm around the King's shoulder
when talking to him. I will just add here that Johan received another
decoration, and Frederick, who is now Minister of Foreign Affairs,
received a grand cord