The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-06


shall be happy il you and your daughter
viii come"
I had made my plansSfor leaving Pari:
on Sunday evening, and I told the Coun'
tess how much I regretted not being abI'
10 accept her invitation Two or three
times the reception was referred 70. and
On each occasion Countess Castellane said
with he. peculiarly sweet and appealing
voice u should like very much to have
you come. Don't you think you could
remain over"
And I determined to do 50.
Nine. se Castellane told me she was
expecting TO come to America next win
ter; that she loved her own country. and
she thought perhaps the only French
habit she had acquired was that OF hav-
ing her photograph taken. This was in
reply TO my request for a picture
! She said: % Ishan never be anything
! she said: Il shall never be anything
replace my own. But really think I am
/ French concerning photographs. And
I then you knot. II is so much safer.
1 They can't get pictures 70 put in the
papers # there are no pictures" Conf
dentiaIly. did not feel quite so certain
about that
I asked Nine. de Casteilane II she had
not during these late years grown much
10 resemble her mother, whom I remem-
bered. and she said with perfect simplic-
ity, mo. I am afraid not I think
look more like my father"
The truth is that the Comtesse de Cas-
tellane is an extremely interesting and
charming woman TO look at today. She
has the gentlest, most beautifully modu-
lated voice in speaking. and her man
ners are absolutely without affectation.
thoroughly high bred, and if she is not
10 the manner born she has acquired all
the charms Of a patrcian Of the most
dainty and delicate type.
The Countess did not interject one word
of French into her conversation with me.
When she had occasion 10 speak TO one
OF the innumerabIe footuen who were
constantly lowering about she did so in
purest Partisan. without the trace of an
American accent.
We went out into the beautiful gardens
glowing with rhododendrons. which were
in full bloom, and the Countess showed
me the little garden salon. as she called
noon.
Later on We went TO the fumoir, and
Nine. de CasteIlane. after showing me
some of the treasures that adorn its
walls. said TO me: This is really the room
in which we live, as only the apartments
I have shown you and the childrens
rooms are fully finished. and we don't
expect to have the house completed for
several years yet"
The conversation turned again to Amer
lea and Nine. de Castellane spoke with
great affection Of her brother. Mr. George
Gould and his children and asked if 1
had seen any OF them lately. She said
she was expecting her brother Edwin and
wife. Of whom she Is very fond, to visit
her next month.
The last words the Countess said TO me
as I babe her adieu were, L shall GER
tainly expect you tomorrow night Come
about 10 or a little later. I think you
win enjoy the music, and I shall be very
happy to see you. And please don't for
get that you may write anything you
choose about the house, but don't say any
thing more than you must about me-
Escorted by a galaxy OF footmen.
finally passed the immense iron grill, and
I confess to lacking the courage to call
a facre. my customary mode Of convey
ance. The eyes Of Paris flunkeydom were
on me. and I waited until I got far be-
yond the vision of the gorgeous lackeys .
before 1 hailed a passing cab
on Sunday evening we went to the Cas- 4
tellane reception. have never seen any
thing so superb as the modern Petit Tria- +
non, gloriied by thousands Of tiny electric
lights, which formed an outline to all
of the garden beds. The electric bulbs
were rose-colored OF clear white, and the
effect was truly fairy like.
As We entered the superb portals which
lead 70 the rose-colored staircase we
We're received by footmen Of yesterday
but this time respondent in scarlet livery
with much gold lace, fesh-colored stock
ings. patent leather pumps with enor-
nous silver buckles. and wearing white
wigs tied IN queue at the back with
black ribbons. quite in the period Of Louis
XVI, every detail being accurate.
The foOtmen. IN their scarlet liveries
to the number Of eighteen or twenty. were
placed opposite each other at various
intervals on the main stairway. on the
first landing the major dunno. d magnifi-
cent gigantic figure wearing the fun
laraphernalia OF his Office. including the
scarlet hat. and carrying the golden hal
bred. stood motionless.
The guests passed up the staircase on
he right and were welcomed at the top
" the Countess Immediately they we're
.nnounced by the footman little below
Ter at the left
Nine. de Casteliane was exquisitely
sowned in a creation Of misty white lace
,ver white satin She is tiny woman.
md her courtier is, Of course. one OF the
irst artists in Paris. and would never
make the mistake OF cverdressing the
little American Countess
cur hostess wore superb diamonds. but
lot too many OF them Her hair vas
harmizgIy colned and ornamented with
black aisrette bearing q diamond
pray.
Nothing could be more charming. more
-racious than the manner OF tire Coun-
ess de Castellane as she received her
-uests with outstretched hand ard
ew pleasant and smiling words OF sin
ere welcome.
The youngest member of my family
Fas obviously much impressed. and ex-
resSsd her. delight al the wonderful spec
acIe which the rose-colored staircase ard
aiiertes presented in the beautiful car
le-iight- for Count Casteaane has been
20 artistic 70 admit twentieth century
ghting into his marble halls There i
ot a false note fl is decorations
Nine. de CasteIlane smiled at the en-