7. 76.] TO 799 
tree, and one truly old and large linden. There may 
be parts in which there are trees as large and venera- 
ble as in old English parks, but we saw only this one 
old tree. The forest is very large, and we had to be 
content with this one drive. We might have had one 
hour more of it, for we had all that to wait for our 
train back to Paris, very pleasant as it cooled at even- 
ing. 
June 9, I at work at Jardin des Plantes, but back 
at noon, and at half past twelve we drive across Paris to 
the Gare de Sceaux and out to Vilmorin’s. At Massy, 
where we leave the railway, Henry de Vilmorin 
awaited us, with his nice carriage, and took us to the 
charming place at Verriéres, so full to us of recollec- 
tions. It is prettier than ever, the house enlarged 
and so full of very nice things. V. and I were most 
of the time in the grounds, looking at plants, back to 
afternoon tea and cake, which we much enjoyed, being 
hungry, and to accommodate us they put forward the 
dinner hour to six. Besides the children and English 
governess, we had at dinner a very interesting abbé, 
with a charming, intellectual face, and a manner to 
match —a Monsignor; for he takes that title as a 
member of the Pope’s household or personal staff. 
He had passed a portion of his life at Moscow, as 
the curé of a French Catholic church there, had 
seen a good deal of the Roman Catholic bishop of 
Chieago and other American brothers; was a good 
deal interested in America, and after the ice was 
broken and he found he could understand J.'s French, 
and even mine, which amused as well as instructed 
him, we had much chat. We had to break off. Vil- 
morin drove us back a few miles to Fontenay-la-Rose, 
to take a particular train, and so we were at our 
