[History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia Vol. VIII. (of XXI.) by Thomas Carlyle]@TWC D-Link bookHistory Of Friedrich II. of Prussia Vol. VIII. (of XXI.) CHAPTER VI 8/17
It is to these, to one of these, that we direct the attention of all readers.
Friday, 23d, there was again Ball and Royal Evening Party--"Grand Apartment" so called.
Immense Ball, "seven hundred couples, all people of condition:" there were "Four Quadrilles," or dancing places in the big sea of quality-figures; each at its due distance in the grand suite of rooms: Wilhelmina presides in Quadrille NUMBER ONE; place assigned her was in the room called Picture-Gallery; Queen and all the Principalities were with Wilhelmina, she is to lead off their quadrille, and take charge of it.
Which she did, with her accustomed fire and elasticity;--and was circling there, on the light fantastic toe, time six in the evening, when Grumkow, whom she had been dunning for his bargain about Friedrich the day before, came up:-- "I liked dancing," says she, "and was taking advantage of my chances. Grumkow came up, and interrupted me in the middle of a minuet: 'EH, MON DIEU MADAME!' said Grumkow, 'you seem to have got bit by the tarantula! Don't you see those strangers who have just come in ?' I stopt short; and looking all round, I noticed at last a young man dressed in gray, whom I did not know.
'Go, then, embrace the Priuce-Royal; there he is before you!' said Grumkow.
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