father.  He was more than a son to me,—­he was my best friend.  And God has taken him from me!...  On the 2d of July he and Helene left for Plombieres, where the latter was to take the baths.  He was, after establishing her there, to come back and spend a few days at the camp of St.-Omer, there to take command of an army corps, which was intended to execute great military manoeuvres on the Marne, and which had been the object of his thoughts and employments for a year past.  Accordingly, on the 9th he returned from Plombieres, and came to dine with us at Neuilly, full of the subject of the elections, and talking of them with that warmth of heart and intellect which was apparent in all he did.  Next day—­my fete day—­he came, contrary to his usual custom, with an enormous bouquet, telling me it was given in the name of the whole family.  He heard mass, and breakfasted with us.  He was so cheerful.  He sat beside me at dinner.  He got up, drank my health with much vivacity, and made the band play a particular tune,—­in my honor, as he said.  Who would have thought that this was the last time this dear child was to show me so much affection!  On the 11th he again returned to dinner with us, much occupied all the time with the camp and the elections....

[Footnote 1:  It was his first title before his father came to the throne.  His mother always continued to use it.]

“On the 12th he arrived about four o’clock in his country suit.  We conversed together about the health of Helene, which was a subject of anxiety, about Clementine’s marriage, which he earnestly desired; about the elections and many other subjects, the discussion of which he always ended with the refrain:  ’In short, dear Majesty, we finish as usual by agreeing in all important particulars.’  And it was very true.

“After dinner we took a turn in the park, he and Victoire, Clementine, D’Aumale, and I. Never had he been so gay, so brilliant, so affectionate.  He spoke to me of his arrangements for the troops, of the time when the king was to go with us to Ste.-Menehoulde, of the time that he would spend there, and of his own daily occupations.  He looked forward to giving his father a representation of the battle of Valmy.  I gave him my arm, saying:  ’Come, dear prop of my old age!’ And the next day he was to be alive no longer!

“We returned to the drawing-room a little late.  A great many people had arrived.  He remained with us talking until ten o’clock, when on going away he came to bid me good-night.  I gave him my hand, and said:  ‘You will come and see us tomorrow before going away?’ He replied:  ‘Perhaps so.’