en sent her own coupe for me at eleven o'clock.
I felt very grand; all the people in the street bowed and courtesied,
thinking I was one of the royal family. I let down the glasses on both
sides of the coupe so that every one could have a chance to bow.

I was at once ushered into the Queen's _salon_ by an old red-liveried
majordomo who had many decorations on his breast. The Queen was alone
with the _Grande Maitresse_, and after having talked a little she said,
"Now we'll have some music," and led the way into the ballroom, where
there were two pianos. The Queen sat on the sofa, wearing an expression
that was half pre-indulgent and half expectant. The _Grande Maitresse_,
who was there, _not_ in her official character, but as a musician,
accompanied me when I sang "_Voi che sapete_." When I came to the
phrase, "_Non trovo pace notte ne di_," the Queen raised her hand to
her eyes, which were filled with tears, and after I had finished, said,
"Please sing another."

I spread out the music of "Biondina" in front of the eye-glasses of the
_Grande Maitresse_, but the first bars convinced me that if I were to
sing _that_ song, _she_ was not to play it, and, against all etiquette,
I placed my hands over hers and gently pushed her off the seat, saying,
"May I?"

I confess I deserved the daggers she looked at me, but the Queen only
laughed and said, "You are quite right; you must play _that_ for
yourself."

The Queen seemed to be delighted, and after some more music I returned
to the hotel in the same regal manner I had come.

COPENHAGEN, _February, 1878_.

Dear Mother,--Some days have passed between this and my last letter,
but I have been very busy. I have tried to do some sight-seeing--there
are many interesting and enchanting things to see here. Then I have had
a great many visits to pay, and I go often to sing with the Queen.

Yesterday I lunched at the palace. The Queen had said to me before:
"When you come to me, come straight to my room. Don't bother about
going first to the _dames d'honneur_. The servant has orders."

So yesterday, when I arrived, the old decorated servant who sits in the
antechamber simply opened the door of the Queen's private apartments,
where I found her and the Princess Thyra alone.

The Queen said, "You will stay to luncheon, will you not?" I hesitated,
as we had invited some friends to lunch with us, but that was evidently
no obstacle. She said: "Never mind that. I will send word to y