Warsaw, Sunday, April 7th.

I can scarcely believe it, but here I am fairly installed in Madame Strumle’s famous boarding school.  The princess palatine’s advice has prevailed, and Madame Strumle has received the preference over the Sisters of the Holy Sacrament.  God be praised, for I really was very anxious to come here.  I received a most flattering reception.

On our way to Warsaw we stopped at Sulgustow.  We found her ladyship the starostine gay and most hospitable; the presence of our dear parents filled the measure of her happiness.  She assured me that the delight of receiving one’s parents in one’s own house could be neither expressed nor understood.  ‘You must yourself experience it,’ added she, ’before you can form any idea of it.’

On the table were all the dishes, confections, and beverages preferred by our parents.  Barbara forgot nothing which could be agreeable to them, and the starost aided her wonderfully in all her efforts.  My mother remarked that Barbara was still better since her marriage than before, to which the starost replied: 

’Indeed, she is no better, for thus did I receive her from the hands of your highnesses.  But she gladly profits by the present opportunity to testify her gratitude; she shows here those lovely and precious qualities which you have cultivated in her soul, and during the past three days she has been for her parents what she is every day for me.’

There was no flattery in what the starost said—­it came really from his heart.  He adores Barbara, and she respects, honors, and obeys him as if he were her father.

She understands perfectly the whole management of a household, and does the honors of her mansion most gracefully.  Every one praises her, and the young ladies and waiting women who followed her from Maleszow are delighted with their new position.

My parents regretted the necessity of parting from their daughter; they would willingly have remained longer; but I must confess I was very anxious to see Warsaw, and was charmed when they received letters obliging them to hasten their departure.

It was really a true instinct which gave me a preference for this place.  I study well, and must improve.  My education will be complete, and I may perhaps become a superior woman, as I have always desired to do; but I need much study and close application to bring me to that point; above all, must I chain my wandering fancies, and not suffer them to stray about so vaguely as I have hitherto done.

Yesterday my mother came to take me to church.  I made my confession, and communed for the intention of using well the new acquirements which I have now the opportunity of making.

When I am well established here, I will write in my journal every day as I did at Maleszow; but I am still in a state of excitement from all I have seen, and I must first become better acquainted with my new dwelling.