"At the close of the formalities of our introduction to the
Empress Dowager and the Emperor at one of the first audiences,
we, with the ladies of the court, repaired to the banqueting
hall. After we were seated, each with a princess beside her, the
great Dowager appeared. We rose and remained standing while she
took her place at the head of the table, with the Emperor
standing at her left a little distance behind her. As she sat
down she requested us to be seated, though the princesses and the
Emperor all remained standing, it being improper for them to sit
in the presence of Her Majesty. Long-robed eunuchs then appeared
with an elaborate Chinese banquet, and the one who served the
Empress Dowager always knelt when presenting her with a dish.

"After we had eaten for some little time, the doyen asked if the
princesses might not be seated. The Empress Dowager first turned
to the Emperor, and said, 'Your Majesty, please be seated'; then
turning to the princesses and waving her hand, she told them to
sit down. They sat down in a timid, rather uncomfortable way on
the edge of the chair, but did not presume to touch any of the
food.

"The conversation ran upon various topics, and, among others, the
Boxer troubles. One of the ladies wore a badge. The Empress
Dowager noticing it, asked what it meant.

" 'Your Majesty,' was the reply, 'this was presented to me by my
Emperor because I was wounded in the Boxer insurrection.'

"The Empress Dowager took the hands of this lady in both her own,
and as the tears stood in her eyes, she said: