asses along
the whole of the Castle Road. On the almost imperceptible incline appear
trumpets and kettle-drums, preceding heralds on horseback. Behind them
come the slashing throne-guards, round the gilt and crystal
gala-carriages. The court chamberlain, the Count of Threma, in the
first; in the second, with the imperial crown and the plumed team of
eight greys caparisoned in scarlet--and the cheering from the villas
rises higher and higher--the emperor with the Duke of Xara by his side;
in the following coaches the assembled majesties and highnesses of
Europe: the Empress of Liparia, the German Emperor and Empress, the King
and Queen of Gothland, Russian grand-dukes, the Duke of Sparta and the
Prince of Naples.... The imperial chancellor, the ministers, the robed
members of the house of peers.... And the endless procession passes
slowly amid the roar of the cannon down the Castle Road, through the
main streets and into the heart of the city. There, in the Old Palace,
the bride is waiting with all her Austrian relations: the emperor and
empress, the Archduke Albrecht and the Archduchess Eudoxie....

It is here that the marriage-treaty is signed, on the gilt table,
covered with gold brocade, upon which the emperors and empresses of
Liparia have written their signatures since centuries, upon which, after
the imperial bride and bridegroom, the august witnesses sign the
contract....

Now the whole procession goes through gallery after gallery to the New
Sacristy. It is a ceremonious parade of some minutes' duration: the
trumpeters, the heralds, the masters of ceremonies; the blue-robed
knights of St. Ladislas: the white-and-gold throne-guards; the Emperor
Oscar with the Duke of Xara, the Emperor of Austria with the bride....
Slowly she walks by her uncle's side, her head a little bent, as though
beneath the weight of her princess' coronet, from which the lace veil
floats, lightly shading her bare neck, which is studded with drops of
brilliants. Her gown is of stiff, heavy satin brocade, embroidered with
silver-thread in front and smothered in emblematic patterns of pearls;
great, white velvet puffed sleeves burgeon at her shoulders; the train
of silver brocade and white velvet is so long that six maids-of-honour
bear it after her, swaying from its silver loops. Behind the
maids-of-honour follow the bridesmaids, dressed all alike, carrying
similar bouquets: they are Princess Thera, Princess Wanda, German,
English and Austr