That will be the finest part of the _fete_!" A few minutes went by, and then, in the very midst of a polka, the orchestra suddenly ceased playing.

But a moment afterwards, with all the blare of its brass instruments, it struck up the Royal March.

The dancers fled in confusion, the centre of the gallery was cleared, and the King and Queen entered, escorted by the Prince and Princess Buongiovanni, who had received them at the foot of the staircase.

The King was in ordinary evening dress, while the Queen wore a robe of straw-coloured satin, covered with superb white lace; and under the diadem of brilliants which encircled her beautiful fair hair, she looked still young, with a fresh and rounded face, whose expression was all amiability, gentleness, and wit.

The music was still sounding with the enthusiastic violence of welcome.