What do you say?  The sea is so very far—­it is such a journey—­it looks so to me just now.  And the south of France is very hot—­as hot as Italy—­besides making you pay greatly ’for your whistle.’  Switzerland would increase both expenses and journey for everybody.  Fontainebleau is said to be delicious in the summer, and if you don’t mind losing your sea bathing, it might answer.  Arabel wants me to go to England, but as I did not last year my heart and nerves revolt from it now.  Besides, we belong to the nonno and you this summer.  Arabel can and, I dare say, will join us.  And Milsand?  You say ‘once in three years.’  Not quite so, I think.  In any case, it has been far worse with some of mine.  All the days of the three times of meeting in fourteen years, can only be multiplied together into three weeks; and this after a life of close union!  Also, it was not her fault—­she had not pecuniary means.  I am bitter against myself for not having gone to England for a week or two in the Havre year.  I could have done it, Robert would have let me.  But now, no more.  It was the war the year before last, and my unsteadiness of health last year, which kept us from our usual visit to you.  This time we shall come.

Only we shall avoid the Alps, coming and going, out of prudence.  Then, for next winter, we return to Rome....

Why do you believe all the small gossip set in movement by the Emperor’s enemies, in Paris, against his friends, as in foreign countries against himself?  It’s a league of lies against him and his.  ’Intriguing lacqueys.’  That’s a sweeping phrase for all persons of distinction in France, except members of the Opposition.  That men like De Morny and Walewski may speculate unduly I don’t doubt, but even the ‘Times’ says now that these things have been probably exaggerated.  I have heard great good of both these men.  As to Prince Napoleon, he has spoken like a man and a prince.  We are at his feet here in Italy.  Tell our dear friend Milsand that I read the seventeen columns of the speech in the ‘Moniteur.’  Robert said ‘magnificent.’  I had tears in my eyes.  There may have been fault in the P.’s private life—­and may be still.  Where is a clean man?  But for the rest, he has done and spoken worthily—­and what is better, we have reason to believe here that the Emperor sympathises with him wholly.  Odo Russell knows the Prince—­says that he is ‘petillant d’esprit’ and has great weight with the Emperor.

[The remainder of this letter is missing]

* * * * *

To Mrs. Martin

[Rome,] 126 Via Felice:  [April 1861].