ded
inside and out and called the _Bucentaur_; it was surrounded by a
swarm of boats, of which several were occupied by musicians. The Doge
and the senators had on black gowns and white wigs with three bows.
When the _Bucentaur_ had reached the place fixed for the celebration
of the marriage, the Doge pulled a ring from his finger and threw it
into the sea. At the same instant a thousand cannon shots announced to
the city and its surroundings the consummation of this great wedding,
which concluded with mass.

A number of strangers were present at the ceremony. I observed among
them Prince Augustus of England, and the charming Princess Joseph de
Monaco, then preparing to go back to France for her children. I saw
her at Venice for the last time.

CHAPTER VI

TURIN AND VIENNA

A QUEEN WHO REFUSED TO BE PAINTED -- A FOUR-COURSE DINNER OF
FROGS, FROGS, FROGS AND FROGS -- VILLEGGIATURA -- FRENCH REFUGEES
AT TURIN -- THEIR HEARTRENDING PLIGHT -- VIENNA -- NEWS OF THE
"AWFUL MURDER" OF LOUIS XVI. AND MARIE ANTOINETTE -- BAREFOOT
PRINCESS LICHTENSTEIN -- INDUCEMENTS TO VISIT RUSSIA -- JOURNEY
THITHER VIA DRESDEN -- THE SISTINE MADONNA.

Meanwhile, it being my desire to see France again, I reached Turin
with this end in view. The two aunts of Louis XVI. had been kind
enough to give me letters to Clotilda, Queen of Sardinia, their niece.
They sent word that they very much wished to have a portrait done by
me, and consequently, as soon as I was settled, I presented myself
before Her Majesty. She received me very well after reading the
letters of Princess Adelaide and Princess Victoria. She told me that
she regretted having to refuse her aunts, but that, having renounced
the world altogether, she must decline being painted. What I saw
indeed seemed quite in accord with her statement and her resolve. The
Queen of Sardinia had her hair cut short and wore on her head a little
cap, which, like the rest of her garb, was the simplest conceivable.
Her leanness struck me particularly, as I had seen her when she was
very young, before her marriage, when her stoutness was so pronounced
that she was called "Fat Milady" in France. Be it that this change
was caused by too austere religious practices, or by the sufferings
which the misfortunes of her family had made her undergo, the fact was
that she had altered beyond recognition. The King joined her in the
room where she received me. He was likewise