Wednesday, 26 March 1873

Very fine. At the promenade (blue and grey dress from last year, hair pinned up — very, very smart) — not many people.
From Manby's they sent a sample for a dress quite like coarse linen for towels that has been washed several times — it is very pretty. I think I shall have a dress like that made. At dinner I spoke with Papa about Baden; I was striving to speak of Hamilton — I succeeded; they speak of him a great deal. I dragged out this conversation as long as possible; I so love to speak of him. I asked all sorts of things about him, and among other things Papa answered my question: No, he is not stupid — stiff, a little bit haughty, sometimes very nice and cheerful.
And much more about him — he described him rather well. Everything they say of him pleases me. Papa said: I [drink] little, but he drinks by the glass. That too pleases me.