If it is a dinner invitation, the guest, in evening clothes, with his white tie doubtless a trifle more carefully adjusted than usual, drives or walks to the palace.  He enters a gate on the south side facing the statue of Frederick the Great, and under the archway finds a doorway with a staircase leading immediately to the royal apartments on the first floor.  In an ante-room are other guests, a couple of Ministers, the Rector Magnificus of the university, and perhaps a “Roosevelt” or “exchange” professor; and if the party is not one of men only, such as the Emperor is fond of arranging, and the Empress is expected, the wives also of the invited guests.  Without previous notice the Emperor enters, an American lover of slang might almost say “blows in,” with quick steps and a bustling air that instantly fills the room with life and energy, and showing a cheery smile of welcome on his face.  The guests are standing round in a half or three-quarter circle, and the Emperor goes from one to the other, shaking hands and delivering himself of a sentence or two, either in the form of a question or remark, and then passing on.  When it is not a bachelors’ party, the Empress comes in later with her ladies.  A servant in the royal livery of red and gold, on a signal from the Emperor, throws open a door leading to the dining-room, and the Emperor and Empress enter first.  The guests take their places according to the cards on the table.  If it is a men’s party of, say, four guests, the Emperor will seat them on his right and left and immediately opposite, with an adjutant or two as makeweights and in case he should want to send for plans or books.  On these occasions he is usually in the dark blue uniform of a Prussian infantry general, with an order or two blazing on his breast.  He sits very upright, and starts and keeps going the conversation with such skill and verve that soon every one, even the shyest, is drawn into it.  There is plenty of argument and divergence of view.  If the Emperor is convinced that he is right, he will, as has more than once occurred, jestingly offer to back his opinion with a wager.  “I’ll bet you”—­he will exclaim, with all the energy of an English schoolboy.  He enjoys a joke or witticism immensely, and leans back in his chair as he joins in the hearty peal about him.  When cigars or cigarettes are handed round, he will take an occasional puff at one of the three or four cigarettes he allows himself during the evening, or sip at a glass of orangeade placed before him and filled from time to time.  When he feels disposed he rises, and having shaken hands with his guests, now standing about him, retires into his workroom.  A few moments later the guests disperse.