Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Sunday, 6 April 1873

Grey sky, then dust and wind. I did not go to church; then someone went I know not where and they did not give me the carriage until four o'clock. I was reading all this time; when they arrived I was beside myself, scolding like a madwoman — I could not find words strong enough for my anger. At the concert (black velvet dress, black cashmere wrap — not smart) — I even cried before going out. Not many people. Ah! the season is in decline; three-quarters have left — it is sad. It seems to me that this winter is two winters: one finished, then a period of bad weather and wind that seems like summer, and the present seems the beginning of another winter. Today I find myself at a loss to write something.
Ah! in my anger I was cursing, but a few minutes later I repented of what I said. It is true. I cannot believe I was so angry.
In the evening at the Théâtre Français they gave an extraordinary piece of great success, Le Fils de la nuit. Monsieur and Madame Lafontaine perform. It is rather good — fantastical, a little for children (black dress, open white collar, hair pinned up as yesterday, a daisy in the hair and one on the bow of the collar — very smart). There was a great deal of elegant company.
The Galves in one stage box, and the daughter of Souvoroff in the other with the Bravura children.
Truly, Mademoiselle de Galve pleases me so — I cannot express how she pleases me; no woman has ever pleased me so much. She is dressed and coiffed so simply, so elegantly, so gracefully. I amused myself this evening.
Ah! I forget — the Comtesse d'Osmond de Fillé came this afternoon with her son. If she runs into Mouzay! Oh dear!
I am sorry he did not see me this evening — I was pretty. But I would be a hundred times better still if I were coiffed like Galve, for in her it is not her face that pleases me so much; it is rather her head — her coiffure is adorable. To look at her from three-quarters behind, so that one sees her hairstyle, her ear, and the beginning of her cheek — it is a delight, a picture! I should like to have her manners — childlike, mature, charming.