, bearing the noblest Saxon names,
were there, accompanied by princes, counts, dukes, and barons, and one
and all were bowing reverentially to the count and his wife. And now, at
a sign from the grand chamberlain, the pages of the countess, clothed
in garments embroidered with silver and pearls, approached to carry her
train; beside them were the count's officers, followed by all the noble
guests. Thus they passed through the third room, where the servants
of the house, numbering upward of two hundred, were placed in military
order, and then on until they came to the grand entrance, which had been
turned into a floral temple.

The royal equipage was at the gate; the host and hostess advanced to
welcome the king and queen, whose arrival had been announced by the roar
of cannon.

The king passed through the beautiful avenue, and greeted the company
placed on either side of him, gayly. The queen, sparkling with diamonds,
forcing herself also to smile, was at his side; and as their majesties
passed on, saying here and there a kind, merry word, it seemed as if the
sun had just risen over all these noble, rich, and powerful guests. This
was reflected upon every countenance. The gods had demanded from Olympus
to favor these mortals with their presence, and to enjoy themselves
among them. And truly, even a king might spend some happy hours in this
delightful garden.

The air was so soft and mild, so sweet from the odor of many flowers;
the rustling of the trees was accompanied by soft whispers of music that
seemed floating like angels' wings upon the air. Every countenance was
sparkling with happiness and content, and the king could but take the
flattering unction to his soul that all his subjects were equally as
happy as the elite by which he was surrounded.

Pleased with this thought and delighted with all the arrangements
for the fete, the king gave himself up to an enjoyment which, though
somewhat clouding his character as a deity, was immensely gratifying to
him.

He abandoned himself to the delights of the table! He devoured with a
sort of amiable astonishment the rare and choice dishes which, even to
his experienced and pampered palate, appeared unfathomable mysteries;
luxuries had been procured, not only from Loudon and Paris, but from
every part of the world. He delighted himself with the gold and purple
wines, whose vintage was unknown to him, and whose odor intoxicated him
more than the perfume of flowers. He r