while i was struggling to learn the steps of the minuet ( rigged out in a hooped skirt with cherry-red stripes , not very chic worn with my school uniform blouse , which was the color of mashed potato ) , i was also supposed to be learning how greatly the political opinions of the whigs and the tories differed , how to hold a fan , and the difference between `` your highness , '' `` your royal highness , '' `` your serene highness , '' and even `` your illustrious highness . ''