--Our King and Queen visit Berlin.

When the Emperor learned of the date for the visit, and that their
Majesties were to be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(Frederick) he proposed that Nina should also come, and he invited
them to be his guests at the _Schloss_. This was joyful news for me.
Though Nina had just had a dreadful fall while riding and had broken
her arm and wrist, she had the courage to undertake the journey. They
traveled with their Majesties.

The _Lehrter Bahnhof_ is particularly well adapted to receive
royalties. It has a fine _facade_, and the open square in front is
large enough to contain the military bands and the hundreds of
carriages of all sorts. Today it was overflowing.

Inside the station a broad flight of steps lead down to the platform,
where was spread the traditional red carpet; the plants, bushes, and
flowers all made it look very gay and festive. The train was expected
at eleven o'clock. We hoped to get there very early, but found the
Emperor and his staff already on the platform, waiting. As our little
party arrived (we and the Secretaries) the Emperor came forward, took
my hand, and kissed it very graciously. We stood talking until the
Empress came, accompanied by all her ladies and suite. The train was
announced by many signals and many whistlings, but no train came in.
The locomotive had given out and the train had stopped a good way out
of the station. The carpet not reaching so far, their Majesties were
obliged to walk quite a distance on the wet platform. By means of
shunting and jerking the royal train was brought in under the station
roof, but nowhere near the carpet. The small steps were put up to the
carriage door, and the King and Queen descended. The Emperor kissed
the King on both cheeks. The Empress received the Queen affectionately
and gave her a bouquet, which she carried in her hand. I saw Nina's
pale face, pinched with pain, in the distance, and longed to fly to
her, but etiquette compelled me to stay to make my obeisance to their
Majesties. The band which was in the station struck up the Royal
Danish March, and we could hardly hear ourselves speak on account of
the tremendous resonance. The procession of resplendent uniforms and
the bright colors of the ladies' dresses made a brilliant sight as
they walked through the station. The Empress led the way, and we all
followed to the waiting-room, where presentations to the Queen took
place. The Empress pr