giment, which,
besides being buttoned tightly and apparently much padded, has a high
and tight collar. He had received a deputation of most of the English
colony and already looked wearied before we went in to luncheon. This
was served in the ballroom, and was a long and elaborate affair. The
King sat opposite the Queen, and Sir Edward and Lady Goschen sat at
either end of the table. All the princes, the German nobility, and
ministers of state were present.

The King apparently had a good appetite, and talked with his neighbors
right and left and opposite, and seemed to enjoy himself. When we
re-entered the drawing-room the King lit an enormous cigar and,
seating himself on a low sofa, talked and smoked, when suddenly he
threw his head back against the sofa, as if gasping for breath. The
Queen, who was on the other side of the room, rushed instantly to the
King and quickly unbuttoned his collar and opened his coat. The two
English physicians who had come with the King were finishing luncheon
in another room. They were instantly called in, and they begged the
guests to leave the _salon_ in order that the King might have more
air. The King had not fainted, but on account of the tight collar, the
heat of the room, the big cigar, and the violent fit of coughing, it
was almost impossible for him to get his breath. The physicians helped
him up from the low sofa into a high chair, and took away the cigar;
but the King, as soon as he could speak, said, "Give me another
cigar." The physicians protested, but the King insisted upon the
cigar, which they were obliged to give him. The guests returned, and
the conversation rallied for a while, but the emotion of the few
moments before could not be easily calmed.

The King left the room quietly, hardly any one seeing him, reached the
automobile, and drove to the castle. The Queen followed him a few
moments later.

We were prepared to receive notice at any moment that the ball fixed
for that evening would be countermanded. But it was not, and at eight
o'clock--the hour one goes to court balls here--found every one
assembled. As usual, we took our places on the platform reserved for
the ladies of the _Corps Diplomatique_, and then, with the ceremonial
which I have so often described, their Majesties, preceded by the
pages and court notables, entered. The Emperor gave his arm to Queen
Alexandra, and the Empress entered with King Edward. It is customary
for the Emperor and the Empress