During the season every "personage" of society who can afford it, including the King and Queen, gives one splendid and sumptuous ball, at which you are sure to meet everybody that is anybody; and ten or twelve grandes dames de par le monde throw open their salons once a week (Sunday is the favourite "receiving night" for these leaders of fashion) to all that is distinguished and illustrious by birth or official station, native or foreign, in the capital. At these pleasant reunions an impromptu dance not unfrequently concludes the evening.