gathered around us. P---- was deserted, so were the others. While
this Spring there will again be nobody, but P---- will have Miss
R----. These ladies, under the leadership of T----, will form a sort
of court, like that of the young Princess G---- and Mme. T---- three
months since. Both died three months ago.

We shall see. Meanwhile let us study, and try to go into society.
Let us pray to God, and amuse ourselves by writing letters.


Wednesday, January 12th, 1876.

B---- and his cousin have called to see us. When these Russians go,
I put on my dressing gown again, and say a lot of things, and rank
myself among the goddesses, then descend to calling myself a little
bundle of dirty linen.

I like to indulge in extravagant speeches, and make Mamma laugh. I
received a letter from B----, this charming friend gives me the news
of Nice. P----has had a reception, and everybody went. It seems that
we were mentioned in the presence of quite a large number of persons
in the consul's house, and the consul and his wife said nothing but
good about us.

"I was glad," B---- wrote, "to see that they were your friends, too,
though you no longer went there so often."

After all, I am very happy, very calm, and I am going to bed.