Prince Nicolas of Nassau and his wife, the Comtesse de Merenberg, a friend of the Batourines, dined beside us at the table d'hôte. I made no advances — yet it would be a useful acquaintance to make.

I have my time of month, and I believe this will bring the Soden cure to an end — which has had the one merit that, having much time to myself, I have attended to my hands and feet, caring for the nails which hitherto were as ugly as possible — merely clean, which is truly not enough for a woman of breeding. I walk about with everyone and make rather ordinary jokes which amuse these people — who find it marvellous to pull faces behind the backs of old Germans, or to blow kisses to passers-by when they cannot see, and the only witnesses are trees. I am mad but careful — set your minds at rest.