pressed great admiration for the portrait
and it was voted a marvellous likeness. After inspecting the picture we
all adjourned for refreshments. The Young Empress sat at the head of
the table and asked me to sit next to her. Shortly after everybody was
seated a eunuch came and asked the Young Empress to inform these ladies
that the Emperor was slightly indisposed and was unable to be present. I
interpreted this, and everybody appeared satisfied. As a matter of fact
the Emperor was quite well, but we had forgotten all about him. And so
the guests departed without seeing him on this occasion.

On reporting everything to Her Majesty as usual, she asked what they
thought of the portrait, and we told her that they had admired it very
much. Her Majesty said: "Of course they did, it was painted by a foreign
artist." She didn't appear to be very much interested and was quite
cross about something, which caused me great disappointment after all
the trouble Miss Carl had taken to finish the portrait. Her Majesty
then remarked that Miss Carl had taken a long time to get the portrait
finished, and asked why nobody had reminded her to inform the Emperor
about the audience, being particularly angry with the head eunuch on
this occasion. Her Majesty said that as soon as she remembered, she
immediately sent a eunuch to make excuses, as the ladies might very
well think that something had happened to the Emperor and it might cause
talk. I told her that I explained to them that the Emperor was not well
and they evidently thought nothing further of his absence.

By the next day the carpenters in the Palace had finished the frame for
the portrait and when it had been properly fitted Her Majesty ordered my
brother to take a photograph of it. This photograph turned out so well
that Her Majesty said it was better than the portrait itself.

The picture being now quite finished, Miss Carl prepared to take her
leave, which she did a few days later, having received a handsome
present in cash from Her Majesty in addition to a decoration and many
other presents as remuneration for her services. For quite a long time
after Miss Carl had left the Palace I felt very lonely, as during her
stay I had found her a genial companion and we had many things in common
to talk about. Her Majesty noticed that I was rather quiet, and asked me
the cause. She said: "I suppose you are beginning to miss your friend,
the lady artist." I did not care to admit that thi