The Grand Duchess used to walk through the rooms sometimes.

The Grand Duchess, a Neapolitan princess, was not beloved by the Tuscans; and I am disposed to believe that she did not deserve their affection.

But there was at that time another lady at the Pitti, the Dowager Grand Duchess, the widow of the late Grand Duke.

She had been a Saxon princess, and was very favourably contrasted with the reigning Duchess in graciousness of manner, in appearance--for though a considerably older, she was still an elegant-looking woman--and, according to the popular estimate, in character.

She also would occasionally walk through the rooms; but her object, and indeed that of the Duke, seemed to be to attract as little attention as possible.
Only on the first night of the year, when we were all in _gran gala_, _i.e._ in court suits or uniform, did any personal communication with the Grand Duke take place.