Tuesday Berlin Dearest Mother. I observed this morning that my letter of last night had not been posted to you, so you will probably get it the day after this one as it will be forwarded from Redcar. F. [Florence] and I went to see Henry IV last night, the Emperor having invited all the Embassy to come to the royal box. Uncle F. [Frank] and Aunt M. [Mary] were dining with the Frederic Leopolds, so they were obliged to decline the box for themselves but the Emperor said that he hoped we should go as we should be chaperoned by Countess Keller, one of the ladies in waiting. Accordingly we went off by ourselves and sat very comfortably with Countess Keller in the second row of chairs - no one might sit in the front row even when the royalties were not in the box. All the Embassy and a lot of the Court people were with us, the Emperor and Empress were in a little box at the side. The play was very well done, the Falstaff excellent and the whole thing beautifully staged. There was no pause till the end on [sic] the second act when there was a long entr'act [sic]. Countess Keller bustled away and presently came hurrying back and whispered something to Knesebeck and Egloffstein, two of the court people, and they came and told F and me that we were sent for. So off we went, rather trembling, under the escort of Countess K. and Egloffstein who conducted us into a little tiny room behind the Emperors box where we found the Kaiserpaar sitting and having tea. We made deep curtseys and kissed the Empress's hand, and then we all sat down, F. next to the Emperor and I next to the Empress and they gave us tea and cakes. It was rather formidable though they were extremely kind. The Emperor talked nearly all the time; he told us that no plays of Shakespear [sic] were ever acted in London and that we must have heard tell that it was only the Germans who had really studied or really understood Shakespear. One couldn't contradict an emperor, so we said we had always been told so. Egloffstein's chair broke in the middle of the party and he came flat onto the ground which created a pleasing diversion - I was so glad it wasn't mine! Countess K. was a dear and started a new subject whenever the conversation languished. After about 20 minutes the Empress got up, we curtseyed to her, shook hands with the Emperor (Florence thanked him very prettily for sending for us) and we bowed ourselves out. Wasn't it amusing! Florence said she felt shy but she looked perfectly self possessed and had the prettiest little air in the world as she sat talking to the Emperor. I felt rather frightened, but I did not mind much as I knew I need do nothing but follow Florence's lead. The Empress sits very upright and is rather alarming; he flashes round from one person to the other and talks as fast as possible and is not alarming at all. Aunt Mary was much amused when we came home and told her our adventures. We go again tonight to the Second Part but we shall not be sent for as Uncle Frank and Aunt Mary will be there.
I went to the Museum this morning. Aunt Mary and I met at one o'clock on the steps and walked back together down the Linden. It was very cold but sunny.

We skated this afternoon, F and I Gerald and Lord Elphinstone. Lord Granville, Mr Seymour and Mr Spring Rice were there. It was rather nice.

I'm glad you don't mean to come to London as I should much prefer to come home for a bit. I am going to leave here on March 1, stay 2 nights at 95 and come home on the 4th. Aunt M. says she hopes Maurice and Papa will both pay them a little visit here.

Good luck to Lisa! Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude