I asked the Queen if she had been singing much during the summer.  “Alas, no!” she replied.  “My voice has had a vacation, and Vera and Marchetti have also had theirs.  I have been in Stresa with my mother, and in Turin, but, now you are here, we shall certainly have some music.  Vera is here,” and at that very moment the amiable old master appeared.  We remained talking till nearly six o’clock; then we went up to dress for dinner.  I had a better look at our rooms.  They appeared more magnificent than before.  My maid had unpacked everything, and a fire was burning brightly in my bedroom, making it look cozy, if one can make such a royal and luxurious apartment look cozy.

I looked at my bed on its platform and wondered how in the world I was ever to get in it when the time came.  The sheets and pillow-cases were of the finest linen trimmed with exquisite Valenciennes, like huge pocket-handkerchiefs.  Instead of blankets there was a large white-satin perfumed, sachet with a cord sewed round it, completely covering the bed.

Johan was told not to be in evening-dress suit.  The King always wears a redingote and a black tie.  The other gentlemen, of course, do the same.  The dinner was at seven o’clock.  Every one was assembled when we entered the salon.  The Prince of Naples was talking with some ladies.  His Gouverneur, Colonel Osio, stood near him.  After a few moments the King and the Queen came in together.  The King greeted us with great kindness.  The Prince kissed his mother’s hand, made a military salute to his father, and left the salon.  He is fifteen years old now, but looks younger.  He wears a uniform which makes him look even smaller than he really is.  The King gave his arm to the Queen, and every one followed into the dining-room, going through the Japanese room.  I should say that there were twenty people at table, J. and I being the only guests.  I sat on the right of the King, and Johan sat on the right of the Queen.  The dinner was delicious.  We had the famous white truffles from Piemonte supplied exclusively for the King.  These truffles exist only in certain forests belonging to the Crown in Piemonte.  And there is only a certain kind of pigs that have the particular kind of nose that can find them and rout them out from under the ground.  A pig and his nose are not enticing caterers, but nevertheless the truffles are delicious.  When they are served they have rather a strong odor of garlic, but they do not taste of it in the least.

“Well,” said the King, as we sat down to the table, “what have you been doing?”

“Your Majesty would be soon tired if I told you all I have done,” I said.

“Bien! that is a good commencement.  We will have enough for the whole dinner....  I listen....”

“To begin with, we spent two months in Denmark.  Then I went to America to see my mother; then to Paris; then to the Riviera; and from Monte Carlo here.”