ths' leave having expired, he was received in
audience by their Majesties on the first day of the sixth moon. He was
much improved in health, but his rheumatism was still very troublesome.
This was particularly noticeable when climbing the steps to the Audience
Hall, and Her Majesty ordered two of the eunuchs to assist him.

First he thanked Her Majesty for her kindness towards my sister and
myself, and, as was the custom, took off his hat and knelt down, bowing
his head until it struck the ground. This ceremony was always gone
through by any official who had received special favors from Their
Majesties.

He then replaced his hat on his head and remained kneeling before the
throne. Her Majesty then questioned him about his life in Paris, from
time to time complimenting him on his work. Seeing that remaining in
this kneeling position appeared to be making him tired, Her Majesty
ordered one of the eunuchs to bring a cushion for him to use, which was
another great honor, as this cushion was only used by the President of
the Grand Council.

Her Majesty told him that as he was now getting to be a very old man,
she did not intend sending him away from China again, as she wanted to
keep my sister and myself at the Court, which she could not do if she
sent him to some foreign country, as he would want to take his daughters
with him. She said she was pleased, that although we had been away from
China for such a long time, we were well acquainted with the Manchu
customs. My father replied that it had been his care that we should be
brought up according to the customs of our own country.

Her Majesty when asked the Emperor if he had anything to say, and he
replied by asking my father if he spoke French, and thought it very
strange on learning that he did not. My father explained that he had
never had the time to study it, besides which he considered himself too
old to learn a foreign language.

The Emperor next asked what was the feeling in France towards China.
My father replied that they were very friendly at that time, but that
immediately after the Boxer trouble the post of Minister had been a
very embarrassing one. Her Majesty said that it had been an unfortunate
affair, but she was glad that everything was now settled satisfactorily.
She told my father that he was to get well again as quickly as possible,
and the audience came to an end.

Afterwards Her Majesty said that my father was looking very old since
his return