The entertainment came off a fortnight after his arrival at the chateau.

The guests, for the most part, arrived early in the afternoon, many having driven in from great distances.

The preparations had been on an immense scale, and the scene at night was a brilliant one.
Never had Charlie seen anything like the magnificence of the dresses, not of the ladies only, but also of the gentlemen; the Poles having the true oriental love for rich costumes, a taste that their national dress permitted them to gratify to the utmost.

Next to the splendour of the dresses, Charlie was surprised at the grace and spirit of the dancing, which was far more vivacious than that of western nations.

The Poles were long considered to be the best dancers in the world.