fore they know at the post office that there is a Countess Françoise Krasinska. I jumped for joy when I received the letter, which with its envelope I shall always treasure as a precious "souvenir." Madame la Starostine is well and happy, and she has been so kind as to send me from the revenue of the garden which M. le Staroste has given her to spend as she likes, four golden ducats, with which I may do anything I choose. It is the first time I have ever had any money of my own, and it has made me so happy. I have already thought of so many ways of spending it, that I think I could buy up half the town. Thanks to my parents, I want nothing for myself, but I should like to have left a pretty remembrance to each of my schoolfellows, and a gold ring for Madame Strumle, but Madame has distressed me by assuring me that my four ducats would hardly suffice to buy four rings. I wished also to buy a blonde mantle for Madame, but I find that the mantle alone would cost a hundred ducats. After much indecision, I have at last made up my mind to send one ducat to the Parish Church, and have a mass offered at the Chapel to invoke the blessing of GOD for the happy termination of the business which is at present occupying my parents, and for the continuance of the happiness of Madame la Starostine. Another ducat I shall change, and divide amongst the servants of the house, then I shall only have two left, with which I shall give a feast to my school companions next Sunday. There shall be coffee, which we never have here, and cakes and fruit. Madame Strumle gave her consent very readily to this last project. GOD grant good health to the dear Madame la Starostine for all the pleasure she has given me. It seems to me that there can be no enjoyment which surpasses that of making presents and treating one's friends. If I am ambitious to have a husband richer than myself, it is only that I may have the pleasure of being generous. I am daily advancing in my studies; I can play with the notes before me several country dances and minuets, and soon I shall learn the most fashionable polonaise, which has not a pretty name, for it is called “The Hundred Demons." In a month, at latest, I shall paint my tree in oils, with its allegorical crown. I am working on canvas a sportsman carrying a gun, and holding a greyhound by a leash. I read immensely, and write from dictation, besides copying standard works, which is an excellent way of forming one's style. I speak French as well, or better than Polish, and, in fact, it seems to me that I am quite fitted to make my entrance into society. As regards dancing, it is almost

superfluous to say that it goes to perfection. I don't know if my master is flattering me when he declares that in all Warsaw there is not a better dancer than myself. I go sometimes to my aunt's palace, but always in the morning, when there are no visitors, and then I always hear agreeable remarks, especially from the Prince, who wishes me to leave school already, but the Princess and their Excellencies desire that I should remain until the winter. It is only just the end of July, so we are a long way off that. Will winter ever come?

26th December. Not only has winter come, but also the much longed for moment of leaving school and the moment when a new existence is opening before me. There will be plenty now to write in my journal, and I am glad to think that it will become interesting. I don't know when I shall return to the Castle of Maleszów. The Prince and Princess are so kind to me, and have insisted upon my remaining with them this winter, and they have obtained permission from my parents to introduce me into society, so I am to stay at Warsaw with them. I am sorry to leave Madame Strumle and my companions, for whom I entertain a warm friendship; but the prospect of leaving this cage and seeing the world, of which I have heard so much, and on which my thoughts have dwelt for so long, makes my joy predominate over my regrets. They are going to present me at court. I shall see the King and the Royal Princes, and as they are daily expecting the arrival of the Duke of Courland, I shall see him. The days have appeared interminably long since it was settled for me to leave school. Warsaw, 28th December. This day will always be a memorable one for me. On it the Princess Lubomirska came early to take me away, and I bid farewell to Madame Strumle and my companions. I was glad to go, though I shed some tears at the parting. We stopped at a church on our way, but I could scarcely collect my thoughts sufficiently for much devotion. There was a whole future in my head, and a whole world in my thoughts. Here I am installed at the Princess's ; her palace is situated in the street of the Faubourg de Cracovie, almost opposite that of the Prince Palatin of Red Lithuania,1 Czartoryski, it is not very large, but furnished with every possible refinement and luxury. On one side the windows overlook a garden and the river Vistula. My room is pretty, and it will be still more so in the summer; it has a balcony, and a door opening into the garden. On my right are the apartments of the Princess, and on my left is the room occupied 1 Red Lithuania is so called from the quantity of cochineal which is found there.

by my maid. The tailor has already been to take my measure, and expressed surprise at my waist being so small and supple. He is going to make me several dresses; I do not know of what kind, for the Princess gave all the orders for them. She inspires me with so much respect, (or perhaps it is fear,) that I dare not ask a single question. Although the Prince is a man, he does not seem to me nearly so formidable, but then he is so gentle, and has such pleasant manners. I am sorry he does not chance to be at Warsaw just now, he has gone to Bialistok to meet the Duke of Courland, and they are to return together one of these first days. He is always in high favour with the Duke. To-morrow we are going to pay visits. The Princess is going to introduce me to the most distinguished of her friends, as that is the usual method of proceeding if one wishes for invitations to balls, soirées, &c. I am glad to go, though somewhat frightened at the idea of these visits; people stare at one so much; but then I shall see a great deal that is new to me.

29th December. I have three good pieces of news to write. The Prince Royal arrived at one o'clock yesterday, and with him the Prince Palatin, who received me as if I were his own daughter, and the visits are all paid. I don't know if I could count how many houses we went to, but we were not admitted everywhere, as some of the people were from home. Amongst others we went to the Ambassadors of France and Spain, who are here with their families, to the Prince Primate, &c., but at these my aunt only left cards. Our first visit was to my aunt, Madame Humiecka, wife of the Swordbearer to the Crown, then we went to the Princess Lubomirska, wife of the general of the royal body guard. She is my aunt's sister-in-law, and was a Czartoryska; she is quite young, and of remarkable beauty, with a passion for everything that is French, and she holds the first rank amongst the ladies. I am glad to know French, for in the great houses, where the mistresses are young, it is always spoken; the elderly men have retained that tiresome habit of mixing up Latin with all they say, but the young men take good care to avoid that, and speak French, which is much better, and at least I can understand them. We also went to see Madame Branicka, the wife of the Commander-in-Chief, who is one of the richest lords in Poland, but he is not well looked upon at court. Then we went to the Princess Czartoryska, the Palatine of Red Lithuania. At her house the conversation was carried on in Polish, but then she is an old lady, and that accounts for her repugnance to

all innovations. She introduced to us her only son, a nice looking young fellow, with very good manners. He paid me many compliments, and I enjoyed this visit more than the others. But no, I am wrong; I was quite as much pleased with the one to Madame Poniatowska, the Castellane of Cracow. She is a very superior person, and talks a great deal, but with so much enthusiasm, that she awakens all one's interest. We found her in a state of great happiness at the return of her son from St. Petersburg, after a long absence. This much-loved son, it is softly whispered, may one day be King of Poland. I looked at him attentively, but I cannot say he pleased me, though I must admit that he was handsome, and tried to make himself agreeable. I do not know if it is natural to him, or if it is affected, but he has a kind of stiffness in his manner, a sort of pretension to dignity, as if he were giving himself airs. I likewise enjoyed my visit to Madame la Palatine of Podolia, for we found with her her husband the Commander-in-Chief, Rzewnski. My father had so often mentioned him to us as having been brought up like the peasant children, and being accustomed as they are to go barefooted, that it seemed strange to me to find him belonging to an illustrious family. His singular education has given him an inconceivable amount of health and strength. Even now, though he is more than fifty years of age, he is strong and hearty ; and as he follows the old Polish fashion of letting the beard grow very long, he has a most venerable appearance. He has a good deal of talent also, for my uncle says he composes beautiful tragedies. We also paid a visit to Madame Brühl, who received us with exquisite politeness; her husband is the king's favourite minister, but he is not held in much esteem. Still every one goes to their house as a matter of etiquette, and they do it willingly, because Madame Brühl herself is so pleasant. We likewise called upon Madame Soltyk, Castellane of Sandomir; she is a widow, but young and very beautiful; she presented to us her son Stanislas, and told us that her uncle, the Bishop of Cracow, was most anxious to take the entire charge of the boy, but she cannot bear to part with him. Before the ladies were seated, the child hastened to put an arm-chair for me, and offered it so prettily, that I was quite delighted, and his mother told me he was always attracted by pretty faces and black eyes. Of all the persons I have seen, Madame Moszynska, widow of the Grand Treasurer to the Crown, is the one who most excites my admiration and sympathy. She lives chiefly at Dresden, and received me so affectionately, that I at once

felt drawn towards her as if I had known her all my life. She admired my face, but I hear it praised everywhere, and am told on all sides that I am beautiful; and though this may not usually be said aloud, I always seem to hear it. But then it must also be acknowledged that never in my life, not even at Barbe's wedding, have I ever been so well or so becomingly dressed. I wore for these visits a white silk dress with large gauze flounces, and a train of turquoise-blue cashmere, with pearls in my hair. The visits would have given me perfect satisfaction if I had met the Duke of Courland. I started in the hope of so doing, but was doomed to be disappointed. As he has been a long time without seeing his father, he is so happy to rejoin him, that he seldom leaves the Royal Palace. I can easily understand that, for I remember when I was at school feeling at times dreadfully sad at the separation from my parents. But the Carnival will soon begin; there will be a great many balls and assemblies, and from what my uncle says, it is clear that the Prince goes to nearly all of them, so I cannot fail to become acquainted with him.

...

1st January. All my desires are fulfilled, and that even beyond all my hopes. I have not only made the acquaintance of the Prince Royal, but I have spoken to him; and I have not only spoken to him, but but it seems almost too bold to write what I could not bear to acknowledge to any one, what I can scarcely believe myself, and what may be the delusion of an inexperienced young girl. Oh no! it cannot be a mere fancy. What is not, is not. I always know so well when I please any one, I have never made a mistake on that subject, and why should I have done so now for the first time. Moreover, why is it so wonderful, since it has pleased the Almighty to create me handsome, and I am acknowledged by every one to be so ? Why should not the Royal Prince view me with the same eyes that other people do ? And his eyes seemed to express more than those of any one else. He is the first Royal Prince I have ever seen or heard speak; there were none of the others at the masked ball, and perhaps all princes are as charming and gallant. Can there be so great a difference between them and all other men? But I must describe the whole in its place, and as it occurred. Yesterday morning the Princess sent for me to her room and said, " 'To-day being the last of the year there is usually a large masked ball; every one will be there, and even the king and his sons will honour it by their presence. You will go with us; I have chosen your costume, and you will be dressed as the