[Illustration:  THE PALACE, MONZA (FRONT) Occupied in the summer by the King and Queen of Italy.]

[Illustration:  PALACE AND GARDENS Here the King and Queen entertained their friends.  Apartments in the second story, the entire right half as seen in the picture, were occupied by the De Hegermann-Lindencrones.]

In the courtyard (which is immense) the carriage stopped at the entrance of the left wing, and we entered the chateau, where the Marquise Villamarina met us and led the way to our apartment, telling me, as we walked along, that her Majesty was looking forward with much pleasure to seeing us, and said that we were expected at five o’clock for tea in the salon and that I was to come dressed as I was, adding that she would come for us to show the way.

I had time to admire our gorgeous set of rooms, which is finer than anything I had ever seen before—­finer than Compiegne, and certainly finer than our apartment at Fredensborg.

We passed through an antechamber which led to my salon, the walls of which are covered with red damask, the curtains and furniture of the same; many beautiful modern pictures hang on the walls, and there are pretty vitrines filled with bric-a-brac.  My dressing-room is entirely capitonne in blue satin from top to bottom—­even the ceiling.  It has long mirrors set in the walls, in which I am reflected and re-reflected ad infinitum.  My bath-room is a dream with its tiled walls and marble bath. (My maid’s room is next this.) My bedroom is as large as a ballroom; the curtains, portieres, divans, and comfortable arm-chairs are of white satin, and in the middle is a glass chandelier fit for a Doge’s palace.  A hundred candles can light me when I go to bed.  My bed stands on a rather high platform and has white-satin curtains hanging from a baldaquin with fringe and tassels, and a huge Aubusson carpet covers the whole floor.

Next to my bedroom is J.’s bedroom, which is also very large, with two windows, furnished in red brocade; great gilt consols support the elaborate-framed Italian mirrors.  Then comes his dressing-room, which connects with his bath-room and his valet’s room.  Then another antechamber giving on to a corridor which leads to the great gallery.

The Marquise came to my door, and we followed her through two or three drawing-rooms before we reached the center room, which is a very large salle with a dome taking in three stories.

The Queen welcomed me most cordially and seemed very glad to see me.  She kissed me on both cheeks and made me sit by her on the sofa.  She was, as always, lovely and gracious.

The repast was a very sumptuous high tea—­all sorts of cold meats, birds, confitures, cakes of various kinds, and sandwiches.