‘property’ rehearsals, at which the way each scene was to be played was determined.  Even when M. Cormon or others did not understand me, they were always ready to subordinate themselves to my decisions; for I continued to be regarded as all-powerful, and everybody thought that I could enforce what I wanted through Princess Metternich, a belief which, indeed, was not without foundation.  For instance, I had learned that Prince Poniatowsky was threatening to place a serious obstacle in the way of continuing our rehearsals by reviving one of his own operas, the production of which had fallen through.  The undaunted Princess met my complaints on this subject by obtaining an immediate order that the Prince’s opera should be laid aside.  Naturally this did not tend to ingratiate me with the Prince, and he did not fail to make me feel his displeasure when I called upon him.  In the midst of all this work I was afforded some recreation by a visit from my sister Louise with part of her family.  To entertain her in my own home presented the greatest difficulties owing to the strange fact that it was now becoming absolutely dangerous to approach my house.  When I first took it, the proprietor gave me a fairly long lease, but would not undertake any repairs.  I now discovered the reason of this was that it had just been decided by the Paris Committee of Reconstruction to clear the Rue Newton with all its side streets to facilitate the opening up of a broad boulevard from one of the bridges to the Barriere de l’Etoile.  But up to the last moment this plan was officially denied, so as to avoid for as long as possible the liability of paying compensation for the land that was to be expropriated.  To my astonishment I noticed that excavations were being made close to my front door; these increased in width, so that at first no carriages could pass my door, and finally my house was unapproachable even on foot.  Under these circumstances the proprietor had no objection to make to my leaving the house.  His sole stipulation was that I should sue him for damages, as that was the only way by which he in his turn could sue the government.  About this time my friend Ollivier was debarred for three months on account of a parliamentary misdemeanour; he therefore recommended me for the conduct of my case to his friend Picard, who, as I saw later on from the legal proceedings, acquitted himself of his task with much humour.  Nevertheless, there was no chance of damages for me (whether the proprietor obtained any, I cannot say); but, at all events, I had to content myself with being released from my agreement.  I also obtained leave to look about for another house, and instituted my search in a neighbourhood less remote from the Opera.  I found a poor cheerless spot in the Rue d’Aumale.  Late in the autumn in stormy weather we completed the arduous task of moving, in which Louisa’s daughter, my niece Ottilie, proved a capable and willing child.  Unfortunately I caught a violent cold in the course of moving and took few precautions to check it.  I again exposed myself to the growing excitement of the rehearsals, and eventually I was struck down by typhoid fever.