The record-union., 1891-05-17
CHAPTER VI.

Inc ulOntn Oh EeDrudry happened 10 De
a particularly pleasant month, and the
King and Queen of Italy had decided to
visit Florence, so everything and every
body were putting on gala dress. The
citizens were to give grand ball and a
reception in honor of visiting royalty.
All the Dukes and Marquises were COM
ing in from the surburban villas, and
every hotel was filled with distinguished
visitors and perSOnages of military fame
Sonora Arenas had decided to present
her daughter at the reception, and the
Marquis del Norta, an old friend Of her
father had offered his services as escort
The day Of the reception dawned fair
with the proverbial Italian skies.
Streets were cranlmed with people at
an early hour. Even the beggars were
more numerous and garliclky than usual
From far and near the peasant women
and men came all in holiday attire-the
women with dark-blue skirts with scar
let-laced bodices, white chemisettes, gold
or silver beads, and crosses on their
snowy whiteness. Spanish ladies, with
lace mantillas that scarcely concealed
their flashing eyes, were already on their
way to mass with their twin sisters, the
Italian ladies, SO alike in form, feature
and dress.
The bands Of music were vieing with
each other on the different plazas through
the city. The troops were mastering,
and the bright decorations of their uni
forms shone in the morning sun. Bugle
calls sounded throughout the streets.
King Humbert's own guards patrolled
the city, some of them standing on duty
in front Of the Andrea Nicini Palace, set
apart for the use of the King and Queen
during their stay.
The reception was to be held in the
west chamber of the Pitt Palace Decor
ators had been busy during the previous
week, and the result was a dream
of beauty. The gilded dome-shaped
room was draped in yellow satin; ruby
plush portieres, with bands of yellow
satin, with heavy gold embroidered satin
flowers, shaded the doors; panels Of ruby
plush, with exquisite marble castings in
relief, adorned the walls. Near the en-
trance were placed marble figures of
Peace and Plenty, with cornucopias and
baskets of red and yellow roses filling
the air with sweet fragrance.
Over the dias was a ly-embroidered
canopy of ruby plush and yellow satin.
The backs of the throne seats had the
arms of Italy in embossed gold. The
room was brilliantly lighted by candel-
ebra resembling seven open-mouthed
dragons, from whose mouths issued gas
jets and red flames. 1t was of ancient
workmanship and design, the whole
piece heavily overlaid in etruscan gold.
The grand staircase and hall, all inlaid
in rich mosaic, was well lighted by col
ored lancet-shaped windows, that threw
rainbow colors on the beautiful groups of
statuary, and the walls were lined with
gems OF art by the old masters.
At II o'clock the procession started
from the palace, the populace shouting
and hurrahing as the King and Queen
came in sight in an open carriage drawn
by six white horses, gold mounted hsr-
ness and nodding plumes, and over them
a canopy carried by out-riders. On this
was the coat of arms embroidered in gold
The royal pair bowed and smiled TO their
warm-hearted subjects as they crowded
near to get glimpse of the Pearl of
Savois, as they love TO call her.
The royal pair went to the cathedral to
high mass, and then returned by another
route, still followed by vast throng.
The reception was 10 commence at P.
NJ. Amparo's maid had put the finishing
touches to her recherche toilet, a pale
pink brocade, with point de venice lace
front, caught here and there with pink
pearls. The bodice, V-shaped, filed in
with the same lace, yet revealing the
beautiful neck, around which was a
string of pink pearls; her bracelets of
filagree gold set with the same precious
stones; her beautiful hair arranged in the
prevailing style, high, and pink ca
mellia, formed Of pearls, and in the heart
of the blossom, was delicate filagree
butterfly in etruscan gold. Her gloves
and fan were all in cream color and pink.
Around her shoulders the maid drew a
brocaded cloak of garnet plush, lined with
the pink brocade, with handsome clasps
Of pink Roman pearls.
Her mother also looked elegant in her
ruby satin and Spanish lace and diamond
ornament; and as the Marquis del Norta
was announced they both came in to greet
him. Accustomed, as the Marquis was
TO beauty and elegance of dress and lovely
women, he could not refrain from telling
them they were almost perfect, and he
would be proud TO escort them, as he
knew he would be envied by all the gen.
tlemen. Amparo had promised Elmer
Stone q peep at her in full dress, so she
crossed the hall to his room where he was
lying on the couch. He heard her step
and half raised himself on his pillows.
and then fell back as if paralyzed by her
beauty, and, holding his hands before
his eyes, asked for piece of smoked
glass, saying, HE always used shat for
eclipses, and she surely would eclipse
even her Majesty" laughing. He asked
her to revolve around so he could take in
all the points of beauty; and, after a criti-
cal survey, pronounced her the ae Plus
ultra of beauty.
: Amparo, glad to have him in such q
pleasant chatting mood, promised to tell
left him, kissing her fan to him from the
doorway with coquettish laugh in her
beautiful eyes.
going, SO came along the corridor to take