First Part Chapter 37

THE BARONNE DE MACUMER TO THE VICOMTESSE DE L'ESTORADE
Genoa.

My beloved beauty,--I was bitten with the fancy to see something of
Italy, and I am delighted at having carried off Macumer, whose plans
in regard to Sardinia are postponed. This country is simple ravishing.

The churches--above all, the chapels
--have a seductive, bewitching air, which must make every female
Protestant yearn after Catholicism. Macumer has been received with
acclamation, and they are all delighted to have made an Italian of so
distinguished a man. Felipe could have the Sardinian embassy at Paris
if I cared about it, for I am made much of at court.

If you write, address your letters to Florence. I have not time now to
go into any details, but I will tell you the story of our travels
whenever you come to Paris. We only remain here a week, and then go on
to Florence, taking Leghorn on the way. We shall stay a month in
Tuscany and a month at Naples, so as to reach Rome in November. Thence
we return home by Venice, where we shall spend the first fortnight of
December, and arrive in Paris, via Milan and Turin, for January.

Our journey is a perfect honeymoon; the sight of new places gives
fresh life to our passion. Macumer did not know Italy at all, and we
have begun with that splendid Cornice road, which might be the work of
fairy architects. Good-bye, darling. Don't be angry if I don't write. It is impossible
to get a minute to oneself in traveling; my whole time is taken up
with seeing, admiring, and realizing my impressions. But not a word to
you of these till memory has given them their proper atmosphere.