Johan had prepared his obligatory speech about _les bonnes relations_ which had always existed between Italy and Denmark, and so forth, but the King did not give him the opportunity to make any speech at all. He held out his hand and said in a most friendly and cordial manner, "_Je suis bien content de vous voir, et j'èspère que vous vous plairez parmi nous_." His Majesty then asked Johan about King Christian, and spoke about the visit he had made to Denmark some years ago. Before the end of the audience Johan succeeded in making the King accept his _lettres de créance_, and presented the greetings of King Christian; but the speech remained unspoken. The contrast seemed very striking between the ceremonious manner in which he was conducted to the King, and the simple and unconventional manner in which he was received by his Majesty. Yesterday I asked for an audience with the Queen. The Marquise Villamarina (the _Grande Maîtresse_) wrote that the Queen, though desiring to see me, thought it better to defer the audience until after the reception of the _Corps Diplomatique_, which was to take place in a few days. I am rather glad of the few days of rest before the first of January, as I am completely tired out. _January, 1881._ Dear Mother,--The great event of the season has just taken place! The _Corps Diplomatique_ has been received by their Majesties at the Quirinal, and I have made my first official appearance and worn my first court train. This splendid ceremony took place at two o'clock in the afternoon, a rather trying time to be _décolletée_ and look your best. In my letter from Paris I told you about my dress made by Worth. It really is quite lovely--white brocade, with the tulle front--all embroidered with iridescent beads and pearls. The _manteau de cour_ is of white satin, trimmed with Valenciennes lace and ruches of chiffon. I wore my diamond tiara, my pearls on my neck, and everything I owned in the way of jewelry pinned on me somewhere. Johan was in full gala uniform--the red one--on the back of which was the chamberlain's key on the blue ribbon. On arriving at the Quirinal we drove through the _porte-cochère_ and stopped at the grand staircase, which was lined all the way up by the tall and handsome guards, dressed in their brilliant uniforms.