à moi"--and "au fond" was rather curious to see her successor. I went as quickly as I could (Orloff giving me a funny little smile, _almost_ a wink, as I passed him) and got my other Présidente just at the door. She was rather astounded I think at her reception--she hadn't been long in her exalted position. We proceeded majestically through three or four salons, and when we arrived at my drawing-room Madame de MacMahon got up at once, saying quite simply "Voulez-vous me présenter, Madame, à Madame Grévy?" She was quite at her ease--Madame Grévy rather shy and embarrassed--however Madame de MacMahon talked at once about some of the great charities, artists, etc., and it really wasn't too stiff--Orloff of course always helping and making jokes with the two ladies. One or two visitors came in and gasped when they saw the situation--also one of the young men of the Cabinet, who instantly disappeared. I always thought he went to tell W. what was happening upstairs so that he might come to the rescue in case I wasn't up to the mark ... but he swears he didn't. When the Maréchale got up to go there was again a complication as I wanted to accompany her to the door, and I didn't like to leave Madame Grévy. She wouldn't hear of my going through all the salons--took leave of me at the door--and then Orloff came to the rescue--gave her his arm and took her to her carriage. It was a curious meeting, and, as Orloff said just now, "je lui devais une fameuse chandelle."[7] [7] French idiom difficult to translate, meaning "I ought to be very grateful to him." February 6, 1880. We are starting to-night, straight for Florence, where we shall stay a week or ten days with the Bunsens before going on to Rome. W. is much pleased at the Roman prospect--and I can hardly believe that I am going to see Rome again. We have our lit-salon straight through to Florence, and I hope we shall be warm enough. It is bitterly cold to-day--even walking I was glad to have my sealskin coat. Nounou is rather tearful at being left in sole charge of Francis, but as that young gentleman is perfectly well, in roaring spirits, and will be given everything his heart desires by his Grandmother and Aunts, I don't feel very unhappy about him. It seems incredible that we should be going to meet soon. How we will prowl about Rome. I suppose I shall find it absolutely changed--so many more people--not our dear old dead Rome. [Illustration: Mrs. Charles King.] _To H. L. K._[8] FLORENCE, VIA ROMANA, VILLA MCDONNELL, February 8, 1880.