Of course it is his duty, not only from a diplomatic point of view but almost from that of propriety, to speak in this way. One would hardly dare to take part in official, nay more, secret, deliberations, and then make light of them in a drawing-room conversation. Only to Baron von Stengel did it happen to be sent to a Conference the object of which he had shortly before characterized as “a daydream.”... But apart from diplomatic punctiliousness, you are instinctively aware when any one speaks frankly and from conviction, and I get the impression that Count Nigra is going to work earnestly and zealously for the cause.
May 24 D’après les ordres de
Sa Majesté la Reine
Le Maréchal de la Cour a l’honneur d’inviter
Monsieur le Baron, Madame la Baronne Berthe Suttner
née Comtesse Kinsky, et Mademoiselle de Suttner[[32]]
à une Soirée au Palais
Mercredi le 24 Mai à 9½ heures
en Gala
One court function is like another: the long line of carriages which drive in à la file through the palace gates; the broad, covered steps adorned with flowers, where the liveried lackeys stand on either side and with dumb show indicate the way; the lofty, gilded drawing-rooms with polished parqueted floors; the numberless uniforms and gala court costumes of the men, the trailing light robes of the ladies, who are adorned with diamonds, flowers, and heron plumes; the atmosphere full of excitement and expectation.