116.
THE PRINCESS OF CANINO, LUCIEN BONAPARTE’S WIDOW, TO HUMBOLDT.
PARIS, _May, 1845_.
I send you, M. le Baron, a copy of my refutation of M. Thiers, in regard
to the passages of that historian which assail the memory of my husband.
The esteem which you bore him, as well as that of your dear brother and
your estimable sister-in-law, both, to me, of sweet and noble memory,
leads me to hope that you will receive with interest this token of all
the sentiments I possess for you, M. le Baron, and in which I beg you to
believe me. Yours affectionately,
THE PRINCESS OF CANINO,
Widow Bonaparte Lucien.
117.
DUCHESS HELENE D’ORLEANS TO HUMBOLDT.
TUILERIES, _Feb. 12th, 1845_.
I will not longer hold the treasure intrusted to my keeping, which was a
source of great joy to me. Receive once more my sincerest thanks for
this communication, and let me hope soon to find new material for
thanks. You see, selfishness is unpardonably predominant in my
character.
Your Excellency’s affectionate
HELENE.
118.
DUCHESS HELENE D’ORLEANS TO HUMBOLDT.
NEUILLY, _May 12th, 1845_.
Your Excellency must suffer me often to claim your services; but to-day
I come to ask something great of you. I wish for myself and for my
cousin of Weimar the instructive pleasure of visiting Versailles in your
society; our plan is to go there on Thursday. For the evening, the King
invites you for dinner and theatre in Trianon. If you have the courage
to share our altered pilgrimage, I invite your Excellency to be here in
Neuilly, Thursday, half-past 11, to accompany us on our journey. But if
other occupations should prevent you from going, I ask an _open
confession_.