I did not think it unlikely. I had sung it often enough, goodness knows. I replied I did sing a song called that. The dire step had been taken, and as far as sleeves were concerned the incident was closed. When I reached home I changed my dress and drove to the house of the "suffering" _doyenne_. She had not expected such quick inquiries, for she looked the picture of health; and I met on the staircase a court lackey evidently bent on the same errand. She stammered a great many things about her headache, and how, when she had that particular _kind_ of headache, she was incapacitated from any effort. I sympathized deeply with her. Her first question was, "Did the Queen have on the sleeves?" "Certainly," I answered, curtly. _January, 1891._ Dear L.,--King Oscar is a king after one's ideas of what a king ought to be. He looks the king every inch of him, and that is saying a good deal, because he is over six feet. He has a splendid physique, is handsome and of much talent. He is a writer and a poet, and speaks all languages. You must be told that some kings are kings; but King Oscar, there is no doubt about what he is! At a concert the other evening he came and sat by me, and began talking of music, of _his_ singing, and _my_ singing, and so forth, and finished by saying, "Would you like to have me come to you some day and sing?" "Of course, your Majesty," I said. "I should be delighted. When may we have the honor of expecting you?" "How would next Thursday be?" he asked. "And would half past two be agreeable to you?" I replied, "Any day or any hour will suit me," although it was in fact the only day which did _not_ suit me, as it was my reception-day. "I hope that we may be quite by ourselves," said the King. "Only you and the members of your Legation." This I could easily promise, as I should have, in any case, closed my doors. "Your Majesty will stay and have a cup of tea. I hope." "With pleasure," he answered, "if that will not make my visit too long." "Too long, your Majesty! How could it be too long?" "Well, then, you may expect me." How prepare for _les détails_? Madame de Sevigny writes somewhere, "_que les détails sont aussi chers à ceux que nous aimons, qu'ils sont ennuyeux aux autres_." The servants laid the traditional red carpet on the staircase. Palms and plants were put in every possible place.