ights I suppose it should be Penmaenmawr. Last night we
went down to Abergeldie to the gillies' ball. There was a dance
called the perpetual jig, nearly the best fun I ever witnessed.
The princes danced with great activity after deer-stalking, and
very well; Prince Alfred I thought beautifully. They were
immensely amused at having passed me on the way home and offered
me a lift, to which I replied (it was dark) thinking they were
General Grey and a household party. The Princess did not
dance--asked about you--is taking great care, and the Prince very
strict about it also. She does not ride or fatigue herself. The
event, according to Dr. Jenner, should take place in March or
early in April. You see his authority and yours are at variance.
The Queen was (according to Mrs. Bruce, who dined with her) very
low last night, on account of the ball, which naturally recalled
so much.

_Oct. 3._--It happened oddly yesterday I was sent for while out. I
had had a message from the Queen in the morning which made me
think there would be no more, so I went out at a quarter past
three. I am very sorry this happened. I am to see her, I believe,
this evening.

_Oct. 4._--The service at Ballater has made a great difference in
favour of this Sunday. It was celebrated in the Free Kirk
school-room for girls! and with a congregation under twenty, most
attentive though very small, and no one left the room when we came
to the Holy Communion. The Knollys family and people were one half
or so. I gave Mrs. Knollys and one daughter a lift in _my_ drag
back to Birkhall (2-1/2 miles which they all loyally walk to and
fro) and had luncheon there. I had Thomas with me. The sermon was
_extremely_ good; but the priest had a _few_ antics. I believe
this is about the first expedition ever made from Balmoral to an
episcopal service. Perhaps encouraged by my example, Captain W.
got a drag to Castleton this morning, being a Roman. There was
_no_ chaplain here to-day, and so no dining-room service, which
for many I fear means no service at all.

I dined with the Queen again last night; also Lady Augusta
Bruce--seven, again, in all. The Crown Princess had a headache, as
well she might, so they were not there. The same royalties as
before, and everything quite as pleasing. The Queen talked
Shakespeare, Scott,