December 29th, 1781

None of my invitations yielded any houseguests for Christmas day, but there is still the possibility of Andre visiting. He is a terrible correspondant and takes almost as long to answer a letter as Matthieu does, which is to say that Matthieu almost never answers at all but rather sends his reply by way of Maman's letters.

It would have been a very lonely Christmas, if not for three surprises. The first was a letter from Thierry in Venice full of all the most tender words a husband may have for his wife, and with it a portrait miniature of himself, which I wear on a ribbon around my neck, tucked beneathe my fichu.

The second was an invitation from Msr. Poisson (to whom I have paid a great deal of money for this purpose) to a salon at his home where Msr and Mme Lavoisier will be in attendance, and he promises me an introduction. The salon is tomorrow, and I do hope may furnish the answers to some questions, and perhaps help to bring Thierry home.

The third surprise was the first payment from the new Baron and his family who have moved into Opme Castle. With it I am free from financial worry for the first time in a long while.

I have invited Clementine and her mother to tea after New Years day, and promised that we shall be quite alone. Hopefully that will encourage Mme de Rodez to allow the visit, and I may find some way to get Clementine alone.

Olympe, Comtesse