“Le Dr. Quin est venu plusieurs fois, et á paru prendre le plus grand intêret a ce qui se passait ici. M. Thackeray est venu aussi, et avait les larmes aux yeux en partant. C’est peut-être la seule personne que j’ai vu réellement affecté a votre depart.”
Lady Blessington and her two nieces had left for Paris on 14th April.
XXVII
PARIS FOR THE LAST TIME
Lady Blessington returned to the city where her husband had died; D’Orsay to serve under another Napoleon than he to whom he had once aspired to render duty. Lady Blessington took a suite of rooms in the Hôtel de la Ville l’Evêque, but shortly moved into an appartement in the Rue du Cerq, hard by the Champs Elysées, which she furnished, partly with some of the salvage from the sale, and where she lived very cosily upon her jointure.
The following letter is from Henry Bulwer:—
“May 6, 1849.
“I was very glad to get your letter. I never had a doubt (I judged by myself) that your friends would remain always your friends, and I was sure that many who were not Alfred’s when he was away, would become so when he was present.[35] It would be great ingratitude if Prince Louis forgot former kindnesses and services, and I must say, that I do not think him capable of this.
“I think you will take a house in Paris or near it, and I hope some day there to find you, and to renew some of the many happy hours I have spent in your society. I shall attend the sale, and advise all my friends to do so. From what I hear, things will probably sell well. I am sure that Samson will execute any commission for you when he goes to Paris, and I gave Douro your message, who returns it.…”