For my part, I was quite
willing to be friendly.
The entrance of my party made something of a sensation. To reach our
table, we were obliged to pass down the Garden almost half its length
and the people arose instantly and bowed.
To Lotzen, this deference was such an ordinary incident of his daily
life he, doubtless, scarcely noticed it. But I was still fresh in my
Royalty and it did attract me--though, I think I appreciated what he
did not; that their courtesy was, in truth, to the Princess only, and
not to us. Indeed, it would have been just the same if the King
himself had been with us. When Dehra was in presence the people had
eyes for her alone.
The supper was deliciously cooked; the wine was excellent; the service
beyond criticism. I had given the two Ambassadors to Dehra and had put
Lady Helen between Lotzen and myself, with Lord Radnor on the Duke's
left.
We were a merry party. Dehra was positively bewitching and Radnor was
simply fascinated. He could scarcely take his eyes from her, even when
addressed by Lotzen; which was very little, for the Duke devoted
himself very assiduously to Lady Helen. So I was remitted to Lady
Radnor, who was about the most tiresomely uninteresting mortal it had
been my misfortune to know--a funeral service was an extravaganza in
comparison to her talk.
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