A few days before the death of my baby I had the unspeakable comfort of knowing that Parnell could come to me for a few hours and perhaps see his child while she lived. His nephew, son of his sister Delia (Mrs. Thomson), had died in Paris, and the authorities gave Parnell leave on "parole" to attend the young man's { 154} funeral. A brilliant, handsome fellow, great sympathy was felt with the parents of this only son.
Spring was very early that year, and in the April morning when the air was fragrant with the sweet freshness of the spring flowers and the very breath of life was in the wind, Parnell came to me and I put his dying child into his arms.
GRAND HOTEL, 12 BOULEVARD DES CAPUCINES, PARIS. _Thursday, April_ 13, 1882.
MY OWN QUEENIE,--I hope to leave Paris on Saturday morning. The doctor says the fever is not infectious, but I doubt it very much, as a great many people amongst the American colony are having it just now. I am staying here, but I am obliged to go to the house, which has been well disinfected, to see my sister, who is very much cut up. The risk to me is a minimum, as I had this fever very badly when I was young, and they say people very rarely have it a second time, and then only slightly.
At all events it is the ordinary typhoid, which doctors say is not catching.
I shall take a Turkish bath every day I am here, and adopt other precautions. YOUR OWN LOVING KING.
GRAND HOTEL, 12 BOULEVARD DES CAPUCINES, PARIS, _Saturday, April_ 15, 1882.
MY DEAR MRS. O'SHEA,--I think of leaving Paris to spend a few days in the south or elsewhere on Monday morning. Had intended starting this evening, but caught a slight cold coming over, which the doctor, whom my sister insisted on seeing me, says is nothing, but think I had best not travel till Monday.
I am very glad that I came over, as my sister is in a very low state, and my coming has picked her up very much, believe me, yours always truly, CHARLES S. PARNELL.
GRAND HOTEL, 12 BOULEVARD DES CAPUCINES, PARIS, _Sunday, April_ 16, 1882.
MY DEAR MRS. O'SHEA,--Having fallen into the hands of the doctor, he informed me to-day that he was coming again to-morrow morning, and upon my saying that I wished to commence my journey to the country to-morrow he said he would let me go on Tuesday morning. Perhaps it is better so, as I might catch fresh cold if I started so soon as to-morrow.