Paris was beginning to fill with fashionables, returning from the sea shore or mountain height. The wedding cards were out. Some of the most unique jewels and costumes prepared for the occasion were on exhibition in the show-cases of the most recherché bazaars.
The public journals were sparkling with descriptions of the costly presents in course of preparation.
The Prince Gherardini had arrived in town and taken apartments at the Grand Hotel du Louvre.
The princely wedding was to be the opening event of the season.
The two sisters of the prince, the Princesses Bianca and Julietta, were to be the first and second bridesmaids, and six young ladies, selected from the most noble families of the French capital, were to complete the bridal retinue.
On Monday of the last week in November, a small party collected in the little salon of the maison to witness the signing of the marriage contract.
This party consisted of the Baroness Von Bruyin, Monsieur Le Grange, Lilith Hereward, Señor Zuniga and Mrs. Downie, on the part of the bride elect, and Prince Gherardini, the Princesses Bianca and Julietta, and the Marquis Orsini, on the part of the bridegroom.
Besides these there were two notaries public with their clerks.
On this occasion the baroness was richly dressed in a Mazarin blue velvet, trained, and trimmed with ermine, and ornaments of pearls and sapphire.
The two young princesses wore white satin embroidered with rosebuds.