Wednesday, 30 April

Very fine but a little cool. I rise at half past five now, and am in bed at ten.
At the promenade (blue dress, tired). Mlle Collignon neglects the lessons; she is late, etc., and it causes me so much pain that I cannot even describe it. Time flies; I am losing time I can never recover — it grieves me so that I am utterly miserable.
Today, after lunch, I went to Maman, who has not yet risen, but she is a little better. What alarms me is that she has so great a sadness without any cause. I am ready to weep because Maman has been ill for so long. I went to her, then, and we spoke of where to go in summer, of my education, of languages, etc., etc. They are right to speak against Mlle Collignon: she never speaks English, so that I know the language but do not speak it easily. And it is her fault — she gives lessons like a professor and never [Crossed out: speaks] converses. And then, even the lessons she neglects. I cannot say it to her face, and that is why I am so agitated; I cannot have something on my mind without saying it. I am astonished that she does not see it herself. I am so grieved by this that I always speak with irritation; today, talking with our people at Maman's, I spoke, I cried out, I nearly wept — I laughed at myself.
I pleaded to go to Vienna. I shall go, with God's help.
Then I would like us to leave Nice, but unfortunately we cannot now. We must wait. Oh! my God, let this lawsuit end!! It keeps us nailed to Nice.
I would like to go to Florence, to Naples, to Rome — to study painting, singing, music; in Nice it is impossible. And then, to go out in Nice society — fie! fie! I must find myself a husband in time, for I dare not hope for him any longer. To think of him makes my heart ache. I dare not love him any longer. And I must find another whom I shall perhaps not love. Oh! but what am I saying? Did I not say myself that I must hope, and that God sends me this time of trials where I have no hope, to test whether I am truly steadfast in my love? Oh yes! For the hundredth time, I entrust myself to God.
I beseech Him to give me Hamilton, and I have faith in Him. He can do all things. I shall waver no more. Oh! but perhaps God does not judge me worthy of obtaining what I ask! Who permitted me to believe I should have him?
Oh! my God, if I am not worthy, if I have sinned in any way, if I have done wrong — forgive me! You are so merciful — forgive a foolish girl! My God, do not punish me! Life seems so beautiful, so smiling to me! Do not disillusion me. I promise not to be puffed up by my happiness; I shall never forget from whom I have it; I shall do good to the poor. Forgive, forgive me. And make me his wife. I shall never forget Your blessings.