Immediately after the formal addresses, the head eunuch, Li Lien-ying, came forward, seized Mrs. Conger's arm and conducted her near to.the Empress Dowager to whom abe was"personally presented. The other Indies were also presented. The head eunuch then conducted Mrs. Conger and the other ladies into an adjoining room, where the presents were made. The Empress Dowager took off the ring from her finger and placed it on Mrs. Conger's. She took off her bracelets and a necklace and placed them also on Mrs. Conger. She expressed to her deep regret for the calamities of 1900 and for the troubles which Mrs. Conger had personally endured. She wept tears of apparent sorrow. Bracelets were likewise presented to the other ladies, and coins of gold and silver to the children. Each bracelet was made of solid gold, mounted with pearls and precious stones, It is impossible to estimate the value of the gifts, as few know the exact valuation of the precious stones which form a part of the tribute from Mongolia and other tributary States.
Refreshments.
'The party was then conducted through an open court into another large room, sumptuously furnished. In an inner room tables were spread for the ladies loaded with Chinese refreshments and foreign wines. At one table where the Ministers' wives sat the Empress Dowager presided, and at the other, where the remaining ladies wore seated, was the Emperor. The Empress Dowager kept up continual conversation, aided by the interpreter, Chang Teh-yi. The Emperor remained silent. Later the Empress Dowager went into the room where the gentlemen were feasting and spoke a few polite words to them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.