all take off their hats, and it seems as if I were the daughter of a
queen whom they salute as she passes.

We met the Marvel, who alighted from his carriage and raised his hat
to us twice. I was amused, I laughed, I went with O----. Why did we
laugh so much? I shall remember later.


Sunday, December 19th, 1875.

To-morrow there is to be a concert at the _Cercle de la Méditerranée_
for the benefit of the free _École des beaux-arts_. I went to the
club to get tickets. Entering through the big door I was ushered
through well-heated, well-lighted corridors to the room of the
secretary, who gave me the little book containing the by-laws and
the names of the members. Men are lucky!

The club made a charming impression upon me. There is a fraternity
of spirit a homelike air, which reminds one of the convent. I am no
longer surprised that these men avoid their badly lighted, poorly
heated homes, with household cares neglected, ill-disciplined
servants, a wife in a wrapper and a bad humour, to go to a place
where everything is nice, comfortable, elegant (in a land where the
orange tree blossoms, where the breeze is softer and the bird
swifter of wing).

O women, don't pity yourselves, but attend to your homes.

Long instructions might be given. I am content to say: "Make your
house resemble a club as much as possible and treat your husbands