The interval of waiting was not destined, however, to be without its interest; in its way it provided the one really important and dramatic moment of the evening.

One or two uniforms and evening toilettes had already made their appearance in the Imperial box; now there was observable in that quarter a slight commotion, an unobtrusive reshuffling and reseating, and then every eye in the suddenly quiet semi- darkened house focussed itself on one figure.

There was no public demonstration from the newly-loyal, it had been particularly wished that there should be none, but a ripple of whisper went through the vast audience from end to end.

Majesty had arrived.

The Japanese marvel-workers went through their display with even less attention than before.