warmly of Marshal MacMahon, hoped that he would remain President of the Republic as long as the Republicans would let him, was afraid they would make his position impossible—­but that the younger generation always wanted reforms and changes.  I said I thought that was the way of the world everywhere, in families as well as nations—­children could not be expected to see with the eyes of their parents.  Then we talked about the exposition—­she said the Spanish show was very good—­told me to look at the tapestries and embroideries, which were quite wonderful—­gold and silver threads worked in with the tapestries.  The interview was pleasant and easy.  When I took leave, she let me back down the whole length of the room, not half turning away as so many princesses do after the first few steps, so as to curtail that very inconvenient exit.  However, a day dress is never so long and cumbersome as an evening dress with a train.

The chamberlain was waiting just outside the door, also two ladies in waiting, just as fat as the Queen.  Certainly the mise en scene was very effective.  The number of servants in red liveries, the solitary standing figure at the end of the long enfilade of rooms, the high diamond comb and long veil, quite transformed the very stout, red-faced lady whom I used to meet often walking in the Bois.

We dined once or twice at the palace, always a very handsome dinner.  One for the Marshal and Madame de MacMahon was beautifully done—­all the footmen, dozens, in gala liveries, red and yellow, the maitre d’hotel in very dark blue with gold epaulettes and aiguillettes.  The table was covered with red and yellow flowers and splendid gold plate, and a very good orchestra of guitars and mandolins played all through dinner, the musicians singing sometimes when they played a popular song.  We were all assembled in one of the large rooms waiting for the Queen to appear.  As soon as the Marshal and Madame de MacMahon were announced, she came in, meeting them at the door, making a circle afterward, and shaking hands with all the ladies.

Lord Lyons gave a beautiful ball at the embassy that season.  The hotel of the British embassy is one of the best in Paris—­fine reception-rooms opening on a very large garden, and a large courtyard and side exit—­so there was no confusion of carriages.  He had need of all his room—­Paris was crowded with English.  Besides all the exposition people, there were many tourists and well-known English people, all expecting to be entertained at the embassy.  All the world was there.  The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Marshal and Madame de MacMahon, the Orleans princes, Princesse Mathilde, the Faubourg St. Germain, the Government, and as many foreigners as the house could hold, as he invited a great many people, once his obligations, English and official, were satisfied.  It was only at an embassy that such a gathering could take place, and it was amusing to see the people of all the different camps looking at each other.