I know salute me. I should like to hug them all. Oh, how
comfortable we are in Nice, I should not want to go away.

I have a longing for amusement, I should like to invite everybody to
the house, to give a dinner, a ball, a supper, a reception, to have
some sort of diabolical carnival--I should like to have everybody,
everybody. I am not ill-natured at heart, I am only a little crazy.

_Ah! son felica! Ah! son rapita
Dio Virgina Sanctissima._

We went to the opera, Mamma and I in the 3d box in the first row, my
aunt and Dina in the 2nd next to the Marvel. T---- came in, General
B---- was with us. The door opened and the Marvel appeared.

"Well," said I, "you celebrated Christmas."

"Ah! yes, just think, I received a pair of slippers."

"Slippers!"

"Yes, and mine were so worn out that they came very opportunely, and
an anonymous letter which was not signed--that is very natural,
anonymous letters are never signed. And the same day I received a
letter, a visiting card: _The Sisters of the Good Shepherd_."

Everybody laughed.

"What does P.P.C. mean?" I asked.

"Pays Parting Calls."

"Oh, yes, that's true."

"But for some time I have received a great many things, the other
day a bit of broken rock, pierced by an arrow. All the people in the
box shouted with laughter, and so did I. But I saw plainly that he
was furiously angry and suspected everything. It is terrible that
only the most foolish little pranks should be remembered."

"You are very fortunate, I received nothing at all."

"Ah! If you wish, I'll send you some slippers."

"But if they are so big, what should I do with them?"

"Never mind, I'll send you all the things."

"That is kind, I am quite overpowered."

BOOK LI

_From Sunday, December 26th, to Sunday,
January 9th, 1876; Nice, Promenade
des Anglais, 55 bis, in my villa.--From
Monday, January 3d, in Rome, Hotel
de Londres, Piazza di Spagna._

Sunday, December 26th, 1875.

We went to hear the band. G. M---- came to talk to us and, among
other compliments, said to me: "M----, I would like to give
you some of my experience, I love you so much! No, really,
Madame,"--addressing my mother--"she has such an extraordinary mind,
so developed, so broadened. But it lacks experience. M----, my
child, I will give you some advice."

"Give it, Monsieur, give it."

"Well, never love seriously, for there not in me whole world a man
worthy your love."

"