Monday, December 25:
We had a somewhat restless night; R. badly wanted to read the Idyll, but he gets tired all the same - we call him several times; at last he goes to bed, after admiring the most glorious of nights. Toward 9 o’clock I am given my presents, R. has his “dear God” robe on - everything very touching and harmonious! There is no toast to me at lunch, since nothing was prepared, but R. gets up and plays to me from the salon, “Who has found so good a wife.”
Before whist in the evening, I am telling my father about Gob. when R. sticks a notice on the door: “Ici on parle français” [“French spoken here”]. [The piece of paper containing this inscription in Wagner’s handwriting enclosed.]