Paris, April 20th

This must be the dirtiest city in our world and one has to pay a costly amount to see it. The tolls of the city of Paris are high and when one enters it all seems rather pretty and worth the pay but then nearing the centre more it shows and smells more and more and suddenly the feeling of being cheated into it becomes stronger by the minute.

After those first days I have relocated to another inn near the border of the city where the air is more bearable. It even has a little park around it. The innkeeper is a former officer of the Garde Royale who has retired some years ago, his wife a daughter of the bourgeoisie; her father was a jeweler. I feel safer here than at the grubby inn I was a few weeks ago. These are educated decent people. Where I as afraid my jewelry was stolen at the old inn, here Madame Du Bois has even restored a string of pearls that broke when it was caught between the lid and box. She used to work in her fathers atelier before she married and her brother is still a jeweler in Paris. She offered to introduce him to me, his work apparently is quite exquisite, she has shown me some pieces which she keeps for herself. It is indeed well crafted and detailed and yet it does not look pompous. France is quite the revelation in this. I have seen one woman at court who had such a large collier around her neck that she could not even turn her head. While in conversation with two other ladies on the parterre I saw her turn back and forth continuously with her whole body to be able to face the lady talking. Quite amusing to see I must admit. I have noticed that here at court one at times even wears evening jewelry. In England it would be frowned upon to wear diamonds during the day. The changing of dress during the day could be considered a day job. It is now that I understand the sigh of relief uttered by Lady Rochford when she told me life had become so much easier since her husband resigned from his embassy in France. I have not met the current ambassador and I do not think he is an acquaintance therefore I will probably not have to bother with avoiding him. To return to the topic, I am quite bored with the dresses I brought so I have ordered new ones. I am expecting them to be delivered this week. The bill will go to the banker and will be paid through the London branch so that he will not notice my presence here. I do find myself travelling France more than being at court. The court is quiet at the moment with the extensive renovations being finished, perhaps it will take a leap into crowdedness again in some weeks. I am planning on visiting the countryside more, there are some charming provinces and the people are much more agreeable than the Parisians, then again if I were to live in such a city permanently I would probably grow to be of similar grumpiness.

Apart from it being mentioned on the passport I have not used the barony of Saint Vaillion-Waircainvalle in conversation as it might be too risky when questions are asked at court. My maid Marie is still trying to figure out how I have come to this name. It really is quite simple as I told her, but I promised her to reveal the secret when I return to my real name. For now I remain the Baroness du Sart and I must admit that this is a very comfortable position. Apart from the closed doors at court, it is very interesting to observe life through the eyes of a baroness. I can not say to prefer this position in life but being used to my own status in life for so long and the privileged position it brings I have never taken into consideration what a noble of lower rank has to endure. When this is all over I will recommend it to my friends. There is so much more freedom in the world whilst at court it is much more restricted. It is silly when you realize that more people would prefer the freedom at court and restrictions in life than the other way around; how complicated the mind of mankind works. Charles has bettered his behavior. I wonder what E. is up to at this moment.