118.
DUCHESS HELENE D’ORLEANS TO HUMBOLDT.
Neuilly, May 12th, 1845.
Your Excellency must suffer me often to claim your services; but to-day I come to ask something great of you. I wish for myself and for my cousin of Weimar the instructive pleasure of visiting Versailles in your society; our plan is to go there on Thursday. For the evening, the King invites you for dinner and theatre in Trianon. If you have the courage to share our altered pilgrimage, I invite your Excellency to be here in Neuilly, Thursday, half-past 11, to accompany us on our journey. But if other occupations should prevent you from going, I ask an open confession.
I beg your Excellency to receive the expression of my sincerest esteem,
Helene.
119.
DUCHESS HELENE D’ORLEANS TO HUMBOLDT.
Winter of 1845.
I had not the satisfaction to bid adieu to your Excellency, and to repeat to you my thanks for your excellent work; permit me to do it now in writing, whilst I send to you the lines for my beloved cousin, and receive once more the expression of the most heartfelt wish to greet again your Excellency, after a short interval, on French soil.
With most sincere esteem, your Excellency’s affectionate
Helene.