October 25, 1780

The deed is done, there is no turning back now. The King has been answered and our engagement announced. Well-wishers visit day and night and I am asked constantly about when the celebrations will commence. Every day F- comes to my Lever and we are seen out walking and at the theatre, and always trailing behind comes Thierry.

He wrote to F-, as he said he would, and his answer was an unexpected silence. "We will remember him together." That seems to be all F- will say. He is cheerful enough with others, but at night after the dinner and the cards and the guests have departed, he stares at the candles in mournful quiet. Something has darkened in him, something has darkened in all of us.

Olympe, Comtesse