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laugh and talk, look around them, and claim acquaintance with others equally at home; but turn from them and gaze upon those who have come for presentation, and you cannot fail to notice the difference of demeanour. Anxiety—nay, absolute fright—is depicted on some faces, traces of want of sleep on others; trains are carried first on one arm, then on the other, and the majority look as though they wish it was all over and they away. Certainly the scene is brilliant, for it is not only the dresses of the ladies one sees, but also the military, naval, and Court; and the most magnificent display of orchids, roses, lilies, Malmaison carnations, and Victoria showers of mingled foliage it is possible to imagine; all made up in such a pretty, natural way, with their trailing creepers and hanging ribbons, that they heighten the effect of the costumes considerably. Now some of the "Corps Diplomatique" appear in their State dress, two Royal pages pass in scarlet and plumes, and the company are rapidly passing from the cloak-room up the grand staircase, and so on to the State Dining Room; where they can sit and compare notes until such time as the Royal party have entered the Throne Room, when they will advance in single file through the crush barriers on to the doors of the room, when, the Lord Chamberlain calling their names in stentorian tones, they advance with all the grace and courage they can muster; make their curtsy, and retire as speedily as etiquette will permit.

Her Majesty's Bedroom.
From a Photo. by H. W. King.

But now the National Anthem is heard in the quadrangle, and if we hurry to the end of the gallery near the "Ministers' Stairs," we shall witness the entrance into the gallery and the passage up the staircase.

It is the Marlborough House party that has just arrived, and pass close to us, the equerries in advance making their way upwards with faces to Royalty. The Princess Christian and her daughter (who have been taking luncheon in the Carnarvon Room opposite) also wend their way upwards with the same state, and as the clock strikes three—the hour of commencement—the last of Royalty have assembled in the Throne Room.