e with us--spoke most openly and frankly
with us on all subjects--EVEN the _most_ delicate, viz. the Orleans
Family (this was with _me_, for I was driving alone with him), and I
am happy to _feel_ that there is nothing now between us which could
_mar_ our personal good _entente_ and friendly and intimate footing.
He is so simple, so _naif_, never making _des phrases_, or paying
compliments--so full of tact, good taste, high breeding; his
attentions and respect towards us were so simple and unaffected, his
kindness and friendship for the Prince so natural and so gratifying,
_because_ it is _not_ forced, not _pour faire des compliments_. He
is quite _The Emperor_, and yet in _no_ way playing it; the Court and
whole house infinitely more _regal_ and better managed than in poor
Louis Philippe's time, when all was in great noise and confusion, and
there was _no_ Court. We parted with _mutual_ sorrow, and the Emperor
expressed his hope that we shall frequently meet and "pas avec de si
grandes ceremonies"!

What I write here is my feeling and conviction: wonderful it is that
this _man_--whom certainly we were _not_ over well-disposed to--should
by _force_ of _circumstances_ be drawn into such close connection with
us, and become _personally_ our friend, and _this_ entirely by his
_own personal_ qualities, in spite of so much that _was and could_ be
said against him! To the children (who behaved beautifully, and had
the most extraordinary success) his kindness, and judicious kindness,
was _great_, and they are _excessively_ fond of him. In short, without
_attempting_ to do anything particular to _make_ one like him, or
ANY personal attraction in outward appearance, he _has_ the power
of _attaching_ those to him who come near him and know him, which is
_quite incredible_. He is excessively kind in private, and so very
quiet. I shall always look back on the time passed not only in France,
but with _him_ personally, as _most_ agreeable. The Prince, though
less enthusiastic than I am, I can see well, shares this feeling, and
I think it is very reciprocal on the Emperor's part; he is very fond
of the Prince and truly appreciates him. With respect to the War,
nothing can be more frank and fair and honest than he is about it, but
it makes him unhappy and anxious.

The dear Empress, who was all kindness and goodness, whom we are all
very fond of, we saw comparatively but little of, as for _really_ and
_certainly very_ good reasons sh