The salon seemed immense to me. On one side the windows (or rather the doors) opened on to the terrace; on the opposite side of the walls, between the pillars, were mirrors resting on gilded consoles. At one end of the room was the statue of Laetitia Bonaparte (Madame Mère), and at the other end was one of Napoleon I. Banquettes and tabourets of Gobelins tapestry stood against the walls. The ceiling is a chef-d'oeuvre of Girodet—style Empire.
The Vicomte de Laferrière and the Duchesse de Bassano, the grande maîtresse, came forward to receive the guests.
[Illustration: SALLE DES FÊTES—CHÂTEAU DE COMPIÈGNE]
My first feeling, when I entered the room, was that I knew no one in this numerous assemblage. There must have been a hundred people at least; but gradually the faces of my acquaintances loomed one by one out of the mist, and among them I recognized the lovely Marquise de Gallifet, who kindly beckoned me to come and stand by her, for which I felt very grateful.
The chamberlains—there were many of them—bustled about, constantly referring to some papers which they had in their hands, in order to tell each gentleman which lady he was to take in to dinner.
The Grand Chamberlain glanced round the room with an all-comprehensive look, and seemed intuitively to know when we were all present. He then disappeared into his Majesty's private salon.
There was an ominous hush, a flutter of agitation, a stiff attitude of expectancy, the guests arranging themselves according to their own consciousness of their rank; and presently the doors of the salon were quietly opened and their Majesties entered. The gentlemen bowed reverentially; the ladies courtesied very low, and the sovereigns, responding with a gracious inclination of the head, advanced toward us.
The Empress turned to the ladies, the Emperor to the gentlemen, speaking a word of welcome to as many of the guests as the time allowed. Fifty or sixty bon soirs and charmé de vous voir's occupy some time; but their Majesties kept their eyes on the Grand Maréchal, and he kept his eye on the clock.
The Empress looked lovely. She wore a beautiful gown, a white-spangled tulle, with a superb tiara of diamonds, and on her neck a collier of huge pearls.
The Emperor was in white culottes courtes, white-silk stockings and low shoes, as were the rest of the gentlemen. He wore the ribbon of the Légion d'honneur, and on his left breast the star of the same.