ABSTRACT
NEXT day Karyl took her company to play before the King, by royal command. As she had expected, the big-hearted monarch had not resented her refusal to see him the night of her first performance, and he, with the Queen, received her most graciously. Her beauty, talent, and charm had already made a great impression upon them, but on this afternoon she roused such enthusiasm, that when the performance was over they did not send for her in the usual way, with all the stately form of etiquette. They went to her, and the Queen kissed her on both cheeks, while the King pressed her hand and poured out a stream of appreciation. Karyl was inwardly excited, outwardly calm. She received these distinctions with proper humility and grace, expressing herself highly conscious of their Majesties’ favour and delighted to have pleased them by her acting.
