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Shortly before six o'clock--dinner in the palace was rarely served

until half-after eight--the Honorable Betty sat down to her

writing-desk in her boudoir, which opened directly into that belonging

to the princess, to write a few letters hoht, and she knew from experience that

after that solemn event was concluded it would be too late for the

departingher

thoughts and transferring them to paper There were times when she

would lean back, nibble the end of her pen and shts were pleasant and

agreeable

She had co three envelopes, when she heard the door

leading into the princess' boudoir open and close She turned to

behold the princess herself

"Why, Gretchen, where are you going?"--noting the grey walking-dress,

the grey hat, the sensible square-toed shoes

"I a the

other's eye

"But shall you have time to dress for dinner?"

"That depends Besides, the official dinners are a great bore" Her

Highness cairl between

her gloved hands, pressed it against her heart, bent and kissed it