A long corridor lay before us, and the flunkey stopped and said to me:
THE SECRETS OF ROYALTY.
"I'll try it, Sir. You are indeed very generous, and I honor you for it, but I don't know whether we can pass the Yeoman of the Guard. They are always about here guarding Her Majesty's private apartments. This is the Queen's Closet."
He pointed to a lofty doorway, and I saw a big, bloated Britisher, walking up and down with something on his shoulder that looked like a meat-axe fastened upon a clothes-pole. He had a red tunic, and wore a round flat hat, and his legs which were very noble and imposing, were clad in red hose.
The flunkey, who was also in tights, went up to him and spoke, and I assumed a business-like air. He was telling the red-faced Beef-Eater, as I afterwards ascertained, that I came to make some repairs in the closet, but the Beef-Eater did not seem willing to admit any one; but by some moral suasion he obviated his scruples, and I was allowed to enter. I think he divided the sovereign with him.
The flunkey beckoned to me, and I approached. The Beef-Eater—noble fellow—looked the other way, as I entered the imposing apartment.
The flunkey stood in silent awe, as I looked around on the splendors of the lofty room.
A magnificent bed stood in a corner of the apartment, hung with red velvet and yellow silk. The arms of Great Britain were emblazoned on the heavy red velvet, and the Lions and Unicorns, disported playfully all over the room in their usual attitudes. There were large oil paintings of George IV, King William IV, the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales as a Colonel of the British army, and the Princess Louise, a marriageable daughter of Queen Victoria.
The bed was large and would have held three persons of the size of Queen Victoria. Elegant lounges were arranged around the lofty apartment, covered with damask satin. A faint and delicious odor filled the room, and I seemed to sink in the soft and luxuriant carpets. Mystery, silence, and enchantment prevailed, and I trembled to think that I stood in the presence of Royalty unbidden, and without the permission of the Queen.