We had no time for more conversation, as the sound of motors approaching warned us that people were arriving to pay me homage.
I stood at one end of the room--which was very large--and waited. Mr. Smith was at my right, a little behind me; Carruthers and Bauen behind him again. My ordeal began.
The first few to arrive were soldiers, officers commanding regiments now in Karena.
These I thanked for their loyalty, and asked a few questions about their commands.
They looked at me with well-bred curiosity. At my request, Carruthers was made known to them by Mr. Smith, and he stood chatting with them while I devoted myself to the ever-flowing tide of fresh arrivals.
They were not all men, some dozen ladies being among them. One of these, a grand old lady with snow-white hair, had been a friend of my mother's. So Mr. Smith whispered as she came towards me.
I kissed her hand and asked her to extend her friendship to me for my mother's sake.
"Your Majesty should have more self-confidence," she replied.
And when I laughingly hinted that she should teach me, she laughed in reply and told me that, had she been forty years younger, she would have been charmed.
I assured her, with an air of astonishment, that I thought babies were useful to teach patience only.