A few minutes later Lord Dudley called. I knew him very well, as he had been introduced to me by Marshal Canrobert, one of my dearest friends. He asked me if I would care to have a ride the following morning, and said he had a very nice lady’s horse which was entirely at my service. I thanked him, but I wanted first to drive in Rotten Row.
At seven o’clock Hortense Damian came to fetch me to dine with her at the house of the Baroness M——. She had a very nice home in Prince’s Gate. There were about twenty guests, among others the painter, Millais. I had been told that the cuisine was very bad in England, but I thought this dinner perfect. I had been told that the English were cold and sedate. I found them charming and full of humor. Everyone spoke French very well and I was ashamed of my ignorance of the English language. After dinner there were recitations and music. I was touched by the gracefulness and tact of my hosts in not asking me to say any poetry.
I was very much interested in observing the society in which I found myself. It did not in any way resemble a French gathering. The young girls seemed to be enjoying themselves on their own account and enjoying themselves thoroughly. They had not come there to find a husband. What surprised me a little was the décolleté of ladies who were getting on in years and to whom time had not been very merciful. I spoke of this to Hortense Damian.
“It’s frightful!” I said.
“Yes, but it’s chic!”
She was very charming, my friend Hortense, but she troubled about nothing that was not chic. She sent me the “Chic commandments” a few days before I left Paris.
Chester Square, tu habiteras.
Rotten Row, tu monteras.
Le Parlement visiteras.
Garden-parties fréquenteras.