v
THE BATTALION
29
quietly until a head dress of three white feathers and a width
of tulle about two yards long was handed rue to inspect for
my own wear, then I rebelled and said that I would not wear
such a thing, or if I did, I would let the feathers droop in
stead of having them stand up in that unbecoming style. I
was soon informed that I had no choice in the matter, as the
Lord Chamberlain had said it must be done and the feathers
must stand up. At first I was disgusted and thought I would
abandon the whole business if I had to be told—and by a man,
too—how I must dress. But when I had reasoned myself out
-of my rebellious spirit, the fact of having a man, appointed
by a court of the realm, to superintend the details of my toilet
seemed to impart to the entire arrangement an importance
that was simply charming. Lady de Armand coached me
well in making courtesies, nine of which I had to make in re
tiring from my presentation;—nine—no more and no iess—
and how could I remember to do them all!
We were compelled to have a certain hair dresser who
came to the house and dressed my hair in the regulation style.
Then the drawing room bouquets arrived, and how lovely
they were, with dewy roses and graceful smilax tied with
trailing white ribbons. It seemed to me there never were
such flowers before! As I donned each article of dress I
seemed to grow in importance, and the court train, finally ad
justed, seemed to sweep away all the monarchical prejudices
I had ever known. I scarcely felt like myself and looked
around hastily, half expecting to see the Star Spangled ban
ner floating behind me or hear the strains of “Yankie
Doodle” coming from the pincushion. Queen Victoria had
no more loyal subject in her entire realm than I, after my
Court toilet was made. Lady de Armand’s improved ap
pearance in her costume gave me some idea of my own
changed looks and I smiled complacently and wondered if I
xeally looked as tvell as I felt. The maids helped me with
our trains and bouquets and once inside the carriage, with
the Major to look after us, we felt quite equal to the occasion
and drove to the Palace where we had to wait for some time.