Do you wish to drive? There are carriages of all descriptions, chars-à- bancs, landaus, pony-carriages, and even a donkey-cart, at your service.
Do you care to ride? There are one hundred and fifty horses eating their heads off in the Imperial stables waiting for you.
Do the gentlemen wish to go shooting? There are countless gamekeepers booted and spurred, with guns and game-bags on their shoulders, impatient to accompany you.
Whatever you do, you are expected to be in your rooms before four o'clock, which is the time the Empress will send for you, if she invites you for tea.
The cercle always follows each repast, and dancing or music always follows the cercle. Tea is served at the Emperor's salon at eleven o'clock, after which their Majesties retire, and you do the same.
November 26th.
DEAR M.,—A very embarrassing thing happened to me this morning.
We thought we could manage an excursion to the town. I wanted to see the
Cathedral, and it did not seem far away.
Therefore, bright and early, at nine o'clock we started on our trip.
We saw the Cathedral; but I had not counted on the time necessary for the change of toilette, which I had to make before déjeuner.