“No,” I said, “I never saw him, but I have a letter from him, written in 1856 to my father-in-law, dated from the Tuileries.”

“He often speaks in his letters of your husband’s grandparents’ home in Copenhagen—­how he always felt at home and happy there, and was always sure to find a charming circle of interesting and literary people.  You must read it; it would interest your husband, too.”

“Did your Majesty ever hear about Moltke’s visit to some grand-ducal court?  Moltke thought, of course, that as he had all the grand cordons and decorations in creation, he had also that of this court.  When he was going to visit the Grand Duke he said to his servant, ’Don’t forget my decoration,’ The servant looked high and low, but could not find it, and, thinking that he had mislaid it, went and bought one.  Moltke put on his uniform, the decoration being in place on his breast.  When the Grand Duke entered he had in his hand an etui containing the decoration, intending to hang it around Moltke’s neck himself.  Imagine his surprise at seeing it there already!”

BERLIN, November, 1908.

Dear L.,—­Our King and Queen visit Berlin.

When the Emperor learned of the date for the visit, and that their Majesties were to be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Frederick) he proposed that Nina should also come, and he invited them to be his guests at the Schloss.  This was joyful news for me.  Though Nina had just had a dreadful fall while riding and had broken her arm and wrist, she had the courage to undertake the journey.  They traveled with their Majesties.

The Lehrter Bahnhof is particularly well adapted to receive royalties.  It has a fine facade, and the open square in front is large enough to contain the military bands and the hundreds of carriages of all sorts.  Today it was overflowing.

Inside the station a broad flight of steps lead down to the platform, where was spread the traditional red carpet; the plants, bushes, and flowers all made it look very gay and festive.  The train was expected at eleven o’clock.  We hoped to get there very early, but found the Emperor and his staff already on the platform, waiting.  As our little party arrived (we and the Secretaries) the Emperor came forward, took my hand, and kissed it very graciously.  We stood talking until the Empress came, accompanied by all her ladies and suite.  The train was announced by many signals and many whistlings, but no train came in.  The locomotive had given out and the train had stopped a good way out of the station.  The carpet not reaching so far, their Majesties were obliged to walk quite a distance on the wet platform.  By means of shunting and jerking the royal train was brought in under the station roof, but nowhere near the carpet.  The small steps were put up to the carriage door, and the King and Queen descended.  The Emperor kissed the King on both cheeks.  The