^T. 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 Verri^res, 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 abbe, 

 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 stafE. 

 He had passed a portion of his life at Moscow, as 

 the cure of a French Catholic church there, had 

 seen a good deal of the Eoman Catholic bishop of 

 Chicago and other American brothers; was a good 

 deal interested in America, and after the ice was 

 broken and he found he coidd 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-larRose, 

 to take a particular train, and so we were at our 



