had the Prince, by unconditional surrender. Not in
the palace of Versailles could one have seen a more generous exposure of
the charms of fair women. None were admitted without a low-cut bodice,
and many came that had not the proper accessories. But it was the most
brilliant company New York had ever seen.

Too many tickets had been distributed and soon 'there was an elbow on
every rib and a heel on every toe', as Mr Greeley put it. Every miss and
her mamma tiptoed for a view of the Prince and his party, who came in at
ten, taking their seats on a dais at one side of the crowded floor.
The Prince sat with his hands folded before him, like one in a reverie.
Beside him were the Duke of Newcastle, a big, stern man, with an
aggressive red beard; the blithe and sparkling Earl of St Germans, then
Steward of the Royal Household; the curly Major Teasdale; the gay Bruce,
a major-general, who behaved himself always like a lady. Suddenly the
floor sank beneath the crowd of people, who retired in some disorder.
Such a compression of crinoline was never seen as at that moment, when
periphery pressed upon periphery, and held many a man captive in the
cold embrace of steel and whalebone. The royal party retired to its
rooms again and carpenters came in with saws and hammers. The floor
repaired, an area was roped off for dancing--as much as could be spared.
The Prince opened the dance with Mrs Governor Morgan, after which other
ladies were honoured with his gallantry.

I saw Mrs Fuller in one of the boxes and made haste to speak with
her. She had just landed, having left Hope to study a time in the
Conservatory of Leipzig.

'Mrs Livingstone is with her,' said she, 'and they will return together
in April.

'Mrs Fuller, did she send any word to me?' I enquired anxiously. 'Did
she give you no message?

'None,' she said coldly, 'except one to her mother and father, which I
have sent in a letter to them.

I left her heavy hearted, went to the reporter's table and wrote my
story, very badly I must admit, for I was cut deep with sadness. Then I
came away and walked for hours, not caring whither. A great homesickness
had come over me. I felt as if a talk with Uncle Eb or Elizabeth Brower
would have given me the comfort I needed. I walked rapidly through dark,
deserted streets. A steeple clock was striking two, when I heard someone
coming hurriedly on the walk behind me. I looked over my shoulder, but
could not make him out in the darkn