n out a little and you will see a flash of jewels and satiny silk in
that one in front of us; evidently some wealthy natives are among the
guests. The long line of vehicles comes up to the door, and when the
occupants have alighted the drivers curve on round the lawn and go away.
At last our turn comes. A pleasant-looking man, all in white, with a red
sash and sword, and a wonderful bunch of tassels and plaits in gold,
called an aiguillette, on his breast, greets us as cordially as if we
were old friends. Notice the plume of rose-pink feathers on his helmet!
He seems to know all about us without our saying a word, and as he leads
the way across the short grass lawn to where our host and hostess stand
ready to greet their guests, he tells me that His Excellency's brother,
my old friend, is actually staying here now.

His Excellency is in English costume, with a star on his breast; he
shakes hands kindly and calls out to summon his brother, who is not far
off, and we pass on to make way for the stream of newcomers.

We could not be in better hands. Claude and I have not met for years,
but that makes no difference; we greet each other as if we had parted
only yesterday. He takes us over to the tables for tea and fruit. And
when he hears this is your first visit he insists on your eating a
mango, which is the most famous fruit in the country and just ripe.
These are a specially good sort, not very large, with pink "cheeks";
when you have stripped off the tough skin you find you get down to the
big stone very soon, and there isn't much room for the fruity part
between, still, what there is of it is excellent, and I see you
furtively using your handkerchief to get rid of the stickiness
afterwards!

Then we sit in basket-chairs, not too near the band, and Claude tells us
"all about it." It is a much more brilliant scene than an ordinary
garden-party at home, because in addition to the Europeans there are a
number of high-class Burmese. Those little ladies near us standing in a
group are most gorgeously attired in much-embroidered fussy little
jackets with short wings, or lappets, sticking out behind, and their
skirts, or tameins, are woven of the richest silk. As that one turns you
see that beside the flowers in her hair she has two big pins with heads
the size of small walnuts; those are real diamonds, not perhaps of the
first water, but still of great value. The ladies' faces are smooth with
yellow powder, and there is som