the Empress Dowager were asked to meet at one of the legations
for the purpose of consultation. The meeting was unusual. Many of
those who were present had no higher motive than the ordinary
tourist who goes sightseeing. With the exception of one or two
who had been in once before, none of these ladies had ever been
present at an audience. Several of them however had passed
through the Boxer siege of 1900, had witnessed the guns from the
wall of the Imperial City pouring shot and shell into the British
legation, where they were confined during those eight memorable
weeks of June, July and August, and had come out with their
hearts filled with resentment. One of them had received a
decoration from her government for her bravery in standing beside
her husband on the fortifications when buildings were crumbling
and walls falling, and her husband was buried by an exploding
mine, and then vomited out unhurt by a second explosion. Among
the number were several recent arrivals in Peking who had had
none of these bitter experiences, but had heard much of the
Empress Dowager, and above all things else they were anxious to
see her whom they called the "She Dragon."

The presiding officer had been longest in Peking, and as doyen of
these diplomatic ladies, she acted as chairman of the meeting.
The first question to be decided was the mode of conveyance to
the "Forbidden City." Without much discussion it was decided to
use the sedan chair, as being the most dignified, and used only
by Chinese ladies of rank. The chairman then called for an
expression of opinion as to the method of procedure in
presentation to the throne. One suggested that they have no
ceremony about it, but all go up to the throne together, for in
this way none would take precedence, but all would have an equal