The Portland daily press., 1898-04-16
(Chapter Xxx
UNDERGRADUATES OF DIPLOMACY

scale IN Keeping with the dignity of the
representative of the Gar.
The spacious State-rooms with their
great crystal chandeliers and heavy gild-
ing were filed to overfiowing with pretty
women and men in uniform of hues as
varied as those of the ladies' dresses, from
the black coat of the United States Min
lister to the bright yellow jacket of the
Emperor of China's representative. All
the diplomatic body were present, as we'll
as many personages well known in Eng.
lish society. At the head of the grand
staircase NJ Grodekoff, the Russian Am
bassador, a striking figure in his spotless
white uniform, his breast glittering with
orders set in brilliants, including the
much coveted ribbon of st. Andrew, stood
with his daughter receiving their guests,
and as we advanced the courtly white
haired old gentleman, whom 1 had met
on many occasions in my official capacity,
shook me heartily by the hand and con-
graduated us upon our marriage.
81 heard. Decides, of your good for
tune" he said: after greeting Ella. 81
trust that you and your wife will have
long life and every happiness.
Thanks your Excellenoy," I an
swered, smiling contentedly. "There is
no doubt, think, concerning our happi-
ness.
"You should take madame to Peters
burg" the aged diplomatist Spughed.
"she would enjoy it, especially with you,
who know our country"
II hope to go very soon,'' Ella said.
81 have heard SO much about it, and am
longing to see it.
'Go now,' he urged. "This is Just the
season; plenty of snow, and skating and
sleighing and such like sports that delight
us in the North -
We both laughed in chorus, while the
representative of the White Czar, dis
missing us into the ballroom with a low
bow, turned to greet the tall, full bearded
representative of his Imperial masters
ally. the French Republic In the corri-
dor there was bustle everywhere. Gaily-
uniformed servants hurried here and there
young attaches. their breasts decorated
with crosses and.. ribbons of every combi-
nation OF color, lounged along with pretty
women on their arms. while older diplo-
mats of every shade of complexion from
white to black, exchanged greetings as
they met.
From the gay cosmopolitan throng in
the ballroom rose the mingled odor of q
thousand perfumes with the chatter of
laughing women, and ere we had entered,
Paul Verbloiudovitch, erect, spruce, and
smart in his Iale-hlue uniform, and wear
ing many decorations, elDowed his way
through the crush towards US.
We had not met since the wedding re-
through the brightly-lit salons, Ella,
radiant and enthusiastic, began telling
him of our idle days and explorations in
the o1d-world towns.
Permit me, madame, to congratulate
you" he exclaimed presently.
upon what?" asked Ella, in surprise.
ssssUpon being the prettiest woman it has
ever been our honor to entertain here
upon this small square of territory belong
ing to our Imperial MASTER" he said.
bowling and smiling with that inborn
fnesse which was one of his chief char
acteristics.
"Ah, you diplomatists always f1atter,'
she laughed lightly behind her fan. SIS
1T really wise OF you tn make a woman
vains" she said, inclining her head slight
1y.
I felt compelled to admit that Paul had
spoken the truth, for as we passed along
had not failed to notice that Elias
beauty was everywhere remarked. Her
gown of cream satin, a trifie decollete,
with the corsage thickly embroidered with
pearls and edged with flowers, uited her
admirably, and the instant consciousness
of success in that brilliant circle of socie-
ty unfamiliar to her heightened the color
of6her cheeks and added lustre to her eyes.
1.-THE majority of the women who honor
us with their presence on these occasions
are vain enough, my friend admitted,
dUOluS Ill d lOW vOlCo, even UuOuSn SOIu6
OF them are absolute hags."
"Mr. Verblioudovitch is. believe, past
master of the art of fiattery." Ella OBJ
served laughing, turning towards me.
"He could make Dowager- Duchess be-
lieve herself as youthful and attractive as
girl of eighteen"
"It is necessary sometimes, madame"
Unanswered amused. "Quite necessary, I
assure you.
At that moment quietly dressed elder
ly lady of. pronounced Teutonic type and
matronly proportions was struggling to
pass us, but, recognized by Paul, was in
troduced to Ella. 1t was woman with
whom was well acquainted, the Coun-
toss Lnndsfeldt wife of the German Am
bassador. She at once joined our little
group, and commenced to chat with a
strong accent.
"We have not met, madame, for quite
claimed presently. ''You have Eeen
away, believe
'Ahl yes. For month was in Ber-
lin, and afterwards. just as was return
ing to London, my youngest daughter
fell i'll, and was compelled to spend two
months with her at Ehrenburg, our
schloss on the Mosel.
Enthusiastically. ~ know it quite we'll.
How romantic and charming 1t looks
perched high up upon it's solitary rock
My mother and drove from Brodenbach
along the valley to see it last year,
''Ah, you did not enter'f'
"No," my wife answered, smiling. "I
had net then the honor of madame's ac-
quaintance.
"Inside, we are back in mediaeval
days, with dungeons, torture-chambe bers,
and all sorts of relics Of barbarism; while
the legends connected with the place are
legion. Some day, if you are interested
in ancient castles, you and your husband
must visit mo in Germany"
SIT is the object of the diplomatist to
ascertain every stronghold of the middle
ages extant," Paul observed.
"Ah, yes" replied the Countess, "but
it is gloomy and dull-ughP' and, shrug-
ging her shoulders, she pulled little
grimace. II prefer Berlin-or even Lon
don."
'You say even London. Countess ex-
claimed Paul. 81 quite agree. London
is triste after Vienna or Petersburg Is
his Excellency with you this EVENING"
"No. My husband is-oh, so busy. We
only returned from Lord Maybury's this
morning, and dispatches accumulate SO
fast in his ABSENCE
10 boa How,