invitations, notes full of gossip, and regrets from
the Thompsons for the expensive dinner I felt obliged to give them at
_Armenonville_, so I won't have to give it! One's old friends in
America are really rather a bother, coming to Paris in the very middle
of the season. If they came only in midsummer, when every one is away,
one would be very glad to do what one could, if one were in the city.
Of course, as far as the Thompsons themselves are concerned, I love
them. My coffee never tasted so deliciously, and Marie said I looked
unusually well after my night's rest. To be sure Marie says that every
morning; but never mind, it is always pleasant to hear the first thing
one wakes up, and I only wish I didn't have a sneaking fear that the
new Empire pink bed-hangings help a good deal. Marie sprayed the room
with my new perfume (a secret; no one else has it), laved my face in
rose-water, and then I had a wee little nap by way of a starter for the
day. After my bath I answered my mail; and then, Marie having manicured
my nails, my toilet was made. I wore, to go out, my striking blue
costume, with the hat and sun-shade to match, which always necessitates
the greatest care with the complexion. I use an entirely different
powder with this dress, and one has to be most careful about one's
cheeks. But Marie is invaluable so far as the complexion is concerned,
and I went out quite satisfied. First, to the hair-dresser's to have my
hair re-dyed, as I went to the races in the afternoon, and the light
there is very trying. Unless your hair has been dyed very lately it is
quite useless to go. My hair was never done so well. I am trying it a
very little darker, and I am almost sure I like it better. Then I went
into some shops. I think it is always a good thing to have one's
carriage seen waiting outside the smart shops often. I priced a great
many things, and had several--which I of course have no idea whatever
of buying--sent home on approval. To the dressmaker's, to try on my new
dress. It was finished; but didn't suit me. I am having entirely new
sleeves and all the trimming changed. I persuaded them it was their
fault. I had really thought I should like it that way until I saw it
completed. Then to breakfast with the Countess of ----; a charming
_dejeuner_. All the women very desirable to know and very _chicly_
dressed, and not one looking so young for their age, I am sure, as I.
In fact, several made that remark to me. I know the