We had a great many discussions in W.’s cabinet with two of his secretaries, who were especially occupied with the invitations for our ball.  The Parliament of course (le peuple souverain) was invited, but it was a different question for the women, wives of the senators and deputies.  We finally arrived at a solution by inviting only the wives I knew.  We had an indignant response from one gentleman:  “M.  X., Depute, ne valsant qu’avec sa femme, a l’honneur de renvoyer la carte d’invitation que le Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres et Madame Waddington lui ont adressee pour la soiree du 28....” (Mr. X., Deputy, who waltzes only with his wife, has the honour to send back the card of invitation which the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Madame Waddington have sent to him for the party of the 28... ) It was unanimously decided that the couple must be invited—­a gentleman who went to balls only to dance with his wife must be encouraged in such exemplary behaviour.  Another was funny too, in a different style:  “Madame K., etant au ciel depuis quelques annees, ne pourrait pas se rendre a la gracieuse invitation que le Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres et Madame Waddington ont bien voulu lui adresser.  Monsieur K. s’y rendra avec plaisir."... (Madame K., being in heaven for some years, cannot accept the amiable invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Madame Waddington.  Mr. K. will come with pleasure.) We kept the letters in our archives with many other curious specimens.  The house was given over to workmen the last two or three days before the ball.  With the remembrance of the staircase at Versailles in our minds, we were most anxious to have no contretemps of any kind to interfere with our entertainment.  Both entrances were arranged and the old elevator (which had not worked for years) was put in order.  It had been suggested once or twice that I should use it, but as I always had heard a gruesome tale of Madame Drouyn de l’Huys, when her husband was Foreign Minister, hanging in space for four or five hours between the two floors, I was not inclined to repeat that experience.

My recollection of the lower entrance and staircase, which we never used, was of rather a dark, grimy corner, and I was amazed the morning of the ball to see the transformation.  Draperies, tapestries, flags, and green plants had done wonders—­and the elevator looked quite charming with red velvet hangings and cushions.  I don’t think any one used it.  We had asked our guests at nine-thirty, as the princes said they would come at ten.  I was ready about nine, and thought I would go down-stairs by the lower entrance, so as to have a look at the staircase and all the rooms before any one came.  There was already such a crowd in the rooms that I couldn’t get through; even my faithful Gerard could not make a passage.  We were obliged to send for two huissiers, who with some difficulty made room for me.  W. and his staff were already in the salon reserve, giving final instructions.