After this the Empress went and talked sociably (for an Empress) with various ladies around the circle; several gentlemen entered into a disjointed general conversation with the Emperor; the Dukes and Princes, Admirals and Maids of Honor dropped into free-and-easy chat with first one and then another of our party, and whoever chose stepped forward and spoke with the modest little Grand Duchess Marie, the Czar's daughter.

She is fourteen years old, light-haired, blue-eyed, unassuming and pretty.

Every body talks English.
The Emperor wore a cap, frock coat and pantaloons, all of some kind of plain white drilling--cotton or linen and sported no jewelry or any insignia whatever of rank.

No costume could be less ostentatious.

He is very tall and spare, and a determined-looking man, though a very pleasant-looking one nevertheless.