Majesty's Gentlemen of the Household. A courteous interview with him,
and I am asked to wait for Her Majesty's Private Secretary, who, out at
present, will see me on his return.

[Illustration: THE ROYAL PALACE AT DEN HAAG.
_From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart, Richmond_.]

Of course I make the best use of the interval and see all I can of the
Palace. A fine-looking and imposing building it is, standing back in a
large quadrangle, the latter being gay with flowers. The outer rails are
literally on the edge of the wood, and no more secluded spot can be
imagined than this--the favourite residence of their Majesties. His
Majesty the late King also preferred this residence to those more
immediately near or in towns, and it was here he breathed his last.

What I see of the interior is superbly grand, but it is more to the
purpose that I have the honour of seeing their Majesties during the day,
and the opportunity of some observation. The youthful Queen seems a most
pleasing and intelligent-looking child, and is eminently child-like and
unaffected in her manner and movements. Readers may be interested in
knowing that, in addition to masters provided for Her Majesty's
training, she has an English governess, under whose charge she is more
immediately placed.

The Queen-Regent, as I have already said, much resembles her sister; not
so tall, rather stouter, but with much the same gentle and rather sad
expression of countenance. Strange that these two sisters should both
become widows at an early age. One comfort they have, there is no very
great distance between them; and though, of course, the Queen-Regent
cannot leave her country much, there is nothing to prevent the Duchess