Mlle Kolokolzoff (Sophie Grigorievna, «Sonitchka»)

Identity

Mlle Sophie Grigorievna Kolokolzoff (Marie also writes Kolokoltzoff), an unmarried Russian lady of the Nice colony, called «Sonitchka» or «Sonka» by the family. Mon Journal t.2 index: «Kolokolzoff (Mlle Sophie) [Sonka], [Sonitchka], 56, 60, 177-178, 249»; t.1: «Grigorievna (Sophie) [Sonitchka], 43», «Kolokolzoff (Mlle), 91, 146»; t.3: «Kolokolzoff (Mlle Sophie)»; t.8: «Kolokoltzoff (Mlle) : 269». The identity of «Sonitchka» with Mlle Kolokolzoff is in Marie's own text: the bouquets thrown to «Sonitchka … Sophie Grigorievna» at the carnival of 23 February 1873 (002.0071, 002.0073) are «les bouquets [que je jetais] à Mlle Kolokolzoff» when she recalls the scene (009.0146). She is not Marie's aunt Sophie Tutcheff (Sophie).

Relevance to Marie

A gossipy, sociable older woman, a regular of the Bashkirtseffs' house and outings in 1873-75: she comes on the excursion to Monte Carlo (003.0177, April 1873); in November 1873 she bursts into congratulations at a dinner, «Moussinka se marie !», and spreads the story that Marie will marry the Duke of Hamilton («Mais elle est folle cette Kolokolzoff !», 012.0229-0236); she takes Marie's aunt to the pigeon shooting (014.0164-0165) and has bought a villa near Monaco (018.0022). Marie calls her «cette vieille et ridicule fille, très comme il faut cependant» (032.0116, April 1875). The family laughs at her (019.0025), and Walitsky sends joke telegrams in her name (063.0177).

References in Diary

002.0071, 002.0073 (as Sonitchka); 003.0177; 004.0375; 009.0146, 009.0170; 012.0229-0237; 014.0164, 014.0165; 015.0316; 018.0022; 019.0025; 020.0066; 032.0116; 063.0177.