communicating by a small staircase with his bedroom, just overhead.  The front of the house looks on the Seine; we had always a charming view from the windows, at night particularly, when all the little steamers (mouches) were passing with their lights.  I had of course to make acquaintance with all the diplomatic corps.  I knew all the ambassadors and most of the ministers, but there were some representatives of the smaller powers and South American Republics with whom I had never come in contact.  Again I paid a formal official visit to the Marechale de MacMahon as soon as the ministry was announced.  She was perfectly polite and correct, but one felt at once she hadn’t the slightest sympathy for anything Republican, and we never got to know each other any better all the months we were thrown together.  We remained for several weeks at our own house, and then most reluctantly determined to install ourselves at the ministry.  W. worked always very late after dinner, and he felt it was not possible to ask his directors, all important men of a certain age, to come up to the Quartier de l’Etoile at ten o’clock and keep them busy until midnight.  W.’s new chef de cabinet, Comte de Pontecoulant, was very anxious that we should move, thought everything would be simplified if W. were living over there.  I had never known Pontecoulant until W. chose him as his chef de cabinet.  He was a diplomatist with some years of service behind him, and was perfectly au courant of all the routine and habits of the Foreign Office.  He paid me a short formal visit soon after he had accepted the post; we exchanged a few remarks about the situation, I hoped we would faire bon menage, and had no particular impression of him except that he was very French and stiff; I didn’t suppose I should see much of him.  It seems curious now to look back upon that first interview.  We all became so fond of him, he was a loyal, faithful friend, was always ready to help me in any small difficulties, and I went to him for everything—­visits, servants, horses, etc.  W. had no time for any details or amenities of life.  We moved over just before New Year’s day.  As the gros mobilier was already there, we only took over personal things, grand piano, screens, tables, easy chairs, and small ornaments and bibelots.  These were all sent off in a van early one morning, and after luncheon I went over, having given rendezvous to Pontecoulant and M. Kruft, chef du materiel, an excellent, intelligent man, who was most useful and devoted to me the two years I lived at the ministry.  I was very depressed when we drove into the courtyard.  I had never lived on that side of the river, and felt cut off from all my belongings,—­the bridge a terror, so cold in winter, so hot in summer,—­I never got accustomed to it, never crossed it on foot.  The sight of the great empty rooms didn’t reassure me.  The reception-rooms of course were very handsome.  There were a great many servants, huissiers, and footmen