to society through the Russian ambassador. That, that is what I
want.

How happy we are when we know what we want! But an idea has come to
me--I believe I am ugly. It is frightful!

To-day is the first time we have seen the Bois, the Jardin
d'Acclimatation, and the Trocadero, from which we had a view of all
Paris. Really, I have never in my life beheld anything so beautiful
as the Bois de Boulogne. It is not a wild beauty, but it is elegant,
sumptuous.

Since Toulon, I have been the prey of a great sorrow. All places are
indifferent to me, except Paris, which I adore, and Nice.

At last! We have reached this spot. Princess G----and W---- met us.

Mamma was not there. We asked for her and were told that she was a
little indisposed. The truth is that she fell out of bed and hurt
her leg. We arrived. I made her sit in the dining-room. An arrival
is always confused. People talk and answer, all speaking at once.

During my absence a little negro boy was engaged, who will go out
with the carriage. I cannot look through the window. I can't bear
this pale foliage, this red earth, this heavy atmosphere! So Mamma
said that we will stay in Paris! Heaven be praised!

We were summoned to dinner, but first I arranged my room. Then I
went back to the drawing-room, where Mamma was lying. We talked and
laughed, I told what I had seen, in short, we discussed everything.
I fear Mamma will be seriously ill. I shall pray to God for her. I
am glad to be back in my chamber, it is pretty. To-morrow I mean to
have my bed all in white. That will be lovely.

I regard Nice as an exile. I intend to occupy myself specially in
arranging the days and hours of tutors.

With winter will come society, with society, gaiety. It will not be
Nice, but a little Paris. And the Races! Nice has its good side. All
the same, the six or seven months which must be spent there seem
like a sea I must cross without turning my eyes from the light-house
which guides me. I do not expect to approach, no, I only hope to see
this land, and the sole thing which gives me resolution and strength
to live until next year. Afterward! Really, I know nothing about it!
But I hope, I believe in God, in His divine goodness, that is why I
don't lose courage. Whoever lives under His protection will find
repose in the mercy of the Omnipotent One. He will cover thee with
His wings. Under their shelter thou wilt be in safety. His truth
will be thy shield, thou wilt fear neither t