Arsenieff

Overview

M. Arsenieff, a Russian acquaintance of Marie's family in Paris in spring 1874, «un vieux original et plein d'esprit», whose wife is «pas mal» (019.0251). Mon Journal t.3 index: «Arsenieff (M.), 193». No first name or office is given in the diary; he has not been identified further.

Relevance to Marie

On 17 May 1874, after church, Marie meets him at the deacon's (the family's priest's) table. He tells her she must have «un mari doux comme une brebis, qui tomberait toutes les fois que j'éternuerais», calls her milady, and predicts she will marry an Englishman and please the English since she pleases the Russians, begging to be invited «dans mon château dans les montagnes d'Écosse» (019.0251). The prediction touches her secret hope of the Duke of Hamilton, a Scottish duke.

References in Diary

• 1874-05-17 (019.0251), the only mention.