“I am told,” Catherine said to Theola, “that in Vienna it is correct for ladies to wear gloves, even when they are eating their meals.”
“How ridiculous!” Theola exclaimed. “I cannot imagine anything more uncomfortable! It must have been invented by a Queen with ugly hands!”
“That is the remark, I am told, the Empress Elizabeth made,” Catherine said, “and shocked the whole court!”
“Well, I hope you are not going to suggest such an innovation here,” Theola said. “I am sure no-one would appreciate it in this heat.”
“I might consider it,” Catherine answered loftily.
Every day, Theola noticed, she became more and more regal and she knew this was because Catherine was taking her cue from the King. Every time she met His Majesty, Theola found him a pompous bore and incredibly self-opinionate
