Le Bec

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-07-06 Diary Coverage: Up to 1874-03-07

Identity

Marie's mocking nickname ("le Bec amoureux", the lovesick beak) for the daughter of Princess Labanoff, a young woman of Nice's Russian society; "la maman" is Princess Labanoff. Not a young man (corrected 2026-10-01). Same person as Bec.

Diary References

1874

• March 7: "Le Bec après une longue absence a paru de nouveau à la Promenade, mais seul avec la maman" - The Beak reappeared at the Promenade after a long absence, but alone with her mother.

Context

• The nickname mocks her mouth and nose (016/1874-02-02, 02-05)
• Regular attendee at fashionable Promenade des Anglais
• Her "long absence" was noted by Marie
• Appears with her mother, Princess Labanoff
• Part of Marie's observational catalog of Nice society

Research Notes

• Nickname typical of Marie's sharp wit
• Real name not yet revealed
• Her reappearance worth noting in diary

11 February 1874

At a wedding service: «A la fin du service le Bec vint, ce Bec amoureux !» (016.0242). The nickname first appears on 27 January 1874 (016.0018). The former entry BEC is merged here.