Feb. 19 Berlin. Dearest Mother. The Opera Subscription Ball was not so dull after all. We sat demurely in our box with other young women, but people came and talked to us and it was rather amusing to watch the dancing down Bellow. I have got rather a nice Danish friend, Kastenskiold is his name, who sat with Florence and me and amused us. We did not stay very long; the Emperor and Empress left at half past 10 and we nipped away as soon as they were gone. The Emperor looked very cross; he came and talked to all the Ambassadors in their box and I saw Turkey with his fez off mopping his brow afterwards and looking very penaud so I imagine the Emperor sat upon him. Poor Turkey! he isn't even paid so it's rather hard that he should have to suffer for the defects of his government! Yesterday was a most delicious sunny day; we walked out with Aunt Mary in the morning [letter incomplete]