I was obliged to keep our long-promised engagement to a messe de minuit and a reveillon at Prince Staremberg’s. Agnes was unequal to going; so with a fatigued mind, very ill-disposed towards gaiety of any sort, I went between ten and eleven with Mrs. Damer. We found there of womankind only Madame de Pompies and Madame de Lapé […] Soon after arrived Victorine, dressed, and looking her very best, and soon after her Catalani and her husband, who filled up the time before the messe began with singing in high spirits anything that came into her head. The messe was said in a room below, and we two mécroyantes, Mrs. D. and I, remained in the drawing-room with four of the men, who had not finished their party at whist. Afterwards we had supper, at which we all assisted, to the number of about sixteen or seventeen, and I was not at home till half-past two.