Paris.

I ASSURE you, Madame, it was Adelaide's own desire to write to you the day after our arrival. Since she has given you a description of our new house, I shall only mention her apartment and her brother's, because she is acquainted with neither. I must explain this, as it will no doubt surprize you. Mons. d’ Almane lodges on the ground-floor, and I up one pair of stairs; adjoining to my bed-chamber there is a pretty large closet in which Adelaide now sleeps; at the farthest end is a door fast locked. Adelaide asked me to what that door led; I answered, to some long galleries which I should hereafter have laid out in apartments for her, in case she married, and her husband was willing to live with us. These pretended galleries are in reality delightful apartments, consisting of six rooms, all fitted up. There is no gilding, and it is furnished with the greatest simplicity; but it will suit my daughter better, for her taste is good enough to prefer elegance and convenience to magnificence. I certainly shall not wait for her marrying to procure her the pleasure of being so agreeably lodged. She is above fifteen. Next year I intend opening the prohibited door and settling her in her new apartment. Theodore will likewise experience a similar surprize. Mons. d’ Almane being desirous of retaining his son a year longer in his own room, and being unwilling that he should have a wish to occupy any other, is the reason of our secrecy.

Mons. d’ Almane arrived at the end of last week; so here we are all reunited and perfectly happy. My children are not yet in the world; but, as we sup at half past nine, Theodore sups with us, but goes to bed before eleven, and his father retires with him. I remain with my company until near one. Adelaide sups in her own room with Miss Bridget and the little Hermine at eight; therefore she always gets up two or three hours before me.