The _tambour_, a curious name given to an antechamber in Sweden, seemed overflowing with dazzling uniforms and showy liveries. It was a very cold night, and all the guests were muffled up to the tips of their noses when they came in. The display of india-rubbers was stupendous. You can see how necessary were the twenty-two large porcelain stoves which, in Sweden, are built into the walls. For my ballroom I was obliged to add an American stove of the kind one fills once a day from the top. The King gave me his arm, and as we entered the _salon_ every one courtesied to the ground. Then the Crown Princess came in with J. Tea was passed, and when the usual ceremonies like presentations and greetings were finished, the _quadrille d'honneur_ commenced. The King took his place on the dais and watched the dancing. At eleven o'clock supper was announced. In entering the supper-room the King gave me his arm, the others following. We were fifteen at our table, ten of whom were royalties. J. did not sit down to supper with us, as it is not the custom in Sweden for the host to absent himself from the rest of his guests. Now came the moment for the surprise! When the royal guests were seated on the dais, sufficient space was made in front of them, the door opened from a side-room, and the dancers entered. I think those sixteen young people showed much self-denial to be willing to forego the early pleasures of the ball, as they had to do, and give up the time when others were dancing to being dressed, wigged, powdered, and painted. I had to put four rooms at their disposal, two for the ladies with their maids, one for the gentlemen and their valets, and one for their refreshments and supper. The shepherds and shepherdesses looked and danced their quadrille charmingly. The music for this was the mazurka from "Romeo and Juliet." When the _incroyables_ came in there was a murmur of admiration. They were beautifully dressed. They wore black satin costumes, and the ladies had white ruffs round their necks. The gentlemen wore high collars and lace jabots. Each had a long stick in his hand and a monocle in his eye. The shepherds stood back while the _incroyables_ danced their quadrille. The music of this was the "Gavotte Louis XIII." As I had chosen the eight prettiest girls in Stockholm, the effect was perfectly enchanting. After the second quadrille they joined forces and danced a _ronde_ to the music of "_Le Galop Infernal_" of "_Orphée aux Enfers_" (Offenbach). It was a great success, and the King desired them to dance it over again. The King thought it must have been a tremendous undertaking, but I told him that it was no trouble to me, as the ballet-master from the theater had taught them. These young people stayed in their pretty costumes for the cotillon, which commenced directly after their dance.