Under the light grey locks the black eyes have preserved the sprightliness, the sweetness of youth. Her smile gave me confidence. It was thus that I had always pictured the gentlewoman, revealed by everything that she is herself and not solely by the things that surround her or by the high rank she occupies in society.
I had heard it said that this woman had the greatest influence at the Austrian court, and looking at her I understood it. Her carriage, her countenance and everything else inspired respect and affection.
When I took leave her last words were:
“I shall be delighted to help your friend since I shall be thus able to please you.”
I went away, gratified and thankful on my own account as well as on my friend’s.
Then I went to the Embassy of the United States. I saw the ambassador immediately, but I was obliged to wait to see his wife. She entered breezily, bringing with her, as it were, a whiff of her own far west. Kind, energetic, jolly, she was a free born woman, cordial and sincere, and I felt at once that I could rely on her.
While I spoke of my protégée, the ambassador’s wife remembered having seen her dance at her sister’s house in Chicago some years before. The dancing, to tell the truth, had not particularly interested her, but if it would be of any help to us she would be very glad to come to our performance.
Sure of having a good audience I returned to the hotel and told my friend that the occasion she had desired so long had at last arrived.
I decided to give an evening for the press on the same day on which my friend would appear at a matinee before the Princess and members of the diplomatic corps.
I then sent invitations to the Viennese artists and art critics. When the day came everything was in readiness. I had engaged an orchestra; the hall had floral decorations; the buffet was most appetising.