Princess’s departure for Ebenthal

The primary time I visited the palace was on the eve of the Princess’s departure for Ebenthal, her mother-in-law’s residence close to Vienna, to which she had been despatched by her docs for change of air, as quickly because it was thought that she may very well be eliminated with out hazard. On the morning of the day, I obtained a letter from the Grand-Marshal of the Court docket, informing me that his Royal Highness can be happy to obtain me within the afternoon. The invitation was coupled with the gratifying discover that I is likely to be permitted to current myself in bizarre morning apparel. The Prince, understanding the detest of Englishmen to placing on night gown in broad daylight, had kindly relaxed in my favour the bizarre rule, that each one guests, who’re desirous of an viewers, should observe the French trend and seem attired as in the event that they have been going out to dinner.

The street to the palace is open to the general public

The street to the palace is open to the general public, and the sentries, stationed on the gates, enable anybody to move as much as the central door which opens on the chief staircase. A variety of troopers in Lancers’ uniform, gray jackets, coated with crimson braid, and Astrakhan caps, have been stationed on the steps. Aide-de-camps in full uniform, officers in night gown, coated with stars and orders, made up a particularly reasonable imitation of a Court docket. The antechamber was crowded, because the Ministers and different individuals linked with the Authorities, all in night gown, had come to pay their respects to the Princess Clementine, who was anticipated to take her departure on the next day. The passages have been full of bins, and there was an unmistakable look of an impending flitting about the entire scene. I used to be first taken to the room of the Princess Clementine, who had been form sufficient to precise a want to see me, having recognized close to kinfolk of mine within the previous days of Twickenham. The Princess’s hair is snow-white, however her options are very stunning, and her complexion is marvellously clean and clear. She is the handsomest of the Orleans household I’ve recognized, and positively possesses, to a better diploma, maybe, than any of them, the singular appeal of method possessed by royal personages when they’re desirous of being nice. Despite her excessive deafness she has a really candy and well-modulated voice. However to shout via an ear-trumpet in a international tongue shouldn’t be conducive to dialog. Her Highness requested a lot after folks we had each recognized throughout her visits to Twickenham; she appeared anxious to be taught my impressions of Bulgaria, spoke extremely of the Bulgarian nationwide character, and was clearly wrapped up coronary heart and soul within the fortunes of her youngest and favorite son.