I had presented a copy of my credentials to the Foreign Secretary (Sir Edward Grey) and the real credentials--the original in a sealed envelope--I must present to His Majesty.

One morning the King's Master of the Ceremonies, Sir Arthur Walsh, came to the hotel with the royal coaches, four or five of them, and the richly caparisoned grooms.

The whole staff of the Embassy must go with me.

We drove to Buckingham Palace, and, after waiting a few moments, I was ushered into the King's presence.

He stood in one of the drawing rooms on the ground floor looking out on the garden.