f the plays she wished to be
performed, which were for the most part dramatised fairy tales, and we
had a performance the next day.

After Her Majesty had gone to rest in the afternoon, during the
theatrical performance I met the Emperor returning to his own Palace.
I was surprised to see only one eunuch in attendance. This was the
Emperor's own private eunuch and he trusted him implicitly. He asked me
where I was going and I told him I was going to my room to rest a while.
He remarked that he had not seen me for quite a long time, which made me
laugh as I saw him every morning at the audience. He said: "I don't
get as much chance of chatting with you as formerly since this portrait
painting began. I am afraid I am not making much progress with my
English as I have nobody to help me now that your time is occupied with
this lady artist. You appear to enjoy her company very much. All the
same I suppose it is very monotonous. Has she found out yet that you
are there simply to keep an eye upon her?" I told him that I was very
careful not to betray myself in any way and that I did not think she
suspected she was being watched.

The Emperor then said: "I understand there is a rumor to the effect that
when this lady has finished Her Majesty's portrait she is going to paint
mine. I should very much like to know who says so." I told him this was
the first I had heard about it so could not say. I asked him whether he
would like to have his portrait painted but he only answered: "That is
rather a difficult question for me to answer. You know best whether I
ought to have it painted or not.

"I see Her Majesty having so many photographs taken and even the eunuchs
are in the picture." I understood at once what he meant, so I asked him
if he wished me to take him with my little kodak. He looked surprised
and asked: "Can you take pictures, too? If it is not too risky for us,
we might try it some day when we have an opportunity. Don't forget, but
I think we must be very careful."

He then changed the conversation by saying: "Well, now that we have
time to talk I want to ask you a question and I expect you to answer
me truly. What is the general opinion amongst the foreigners regarding
myself? Do they consider me a man of character and do they think me
clever? I am very anxious to know." Before I could say anything in
answer to this question he continued: "I know very well that they regard
me as nothing more than a boy, and as being