Monday, February 13:
R. called me to him around midday and said that he now had a clear first draft of the coronation march; he plays some of it to me and I like it very much.
Sunshine and a merry mood at lunch. We go for a walk and at the post office find a letter from Frau Wesendonck; she accepts our invitation and invites us to lunch.
We let the children ride home, and there is tremendous jubilation as they drive past us. Three French officers were in our garden today, and they played with the children. They gave Boni 20 centimes, helped Eva ride on Rus, and gave Loldi a kiss!
When we see the wretched soldiers in the town, R. says, "Gambetta gathered armies together as the Jesuits did Christians in Asia; when one took a closer look there were none to be seen."
We spend the evening in sweet nothings and do not get around to Gibbon.
In the morning I had read parts of Gotz von Berlichingen; I was particularly struck by the melancholy mood in which Gotz expresses himself to Sickingen. The whole difference between a character like his and Wallenstein's struck me; the ignoble man strives to deceive himself, "It must be night," etc., while the noble man recognizes his perilous position and remains as resolute as he is resigned.