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 but he never thought she was pretty. I think I shall have the fringe on that dress. The milliner has brought some bonnets for me to look at, so I must leave my letter.

Kiss your baby for me, and give my love to Nicolas.

, Dec. 8.

,—We are on our way to the North Pole, having left the fascinations of Paris behind us. I made a discovery in that city which is worth a fortune to me. I found the emperor of all tailors, a man perfect in his profession, which is a thing you can rarely see. You will be delighted with the results of our acquaintance when you behold them.

Grace has purchased every article which was recommended to her to keep us warm on the journey, and the consequence is, my big black bag is completely filled with her traps. It flew open at the Paris station, and startling were the secrets which were disclosed.

We are all delighted at the prospect of getting out of this beastly hole. We have been in a chronic state of shivering ever since we landed in Europe, and Grace is looking forward to getting warm in St. Petersburg, for she says that Alice never mentions the cold in her letters, so she does not believe it can be as cold as London and Paris. Never say anything more to me, my dear mother, about the beauty of this Berlin street,