Wednesday, 28 January 1874

I walked for the first time in several days, but first I drove out with Maman and Dina; I bought blue curtains -- M. Leclerc says that blue light makes plants grow. I went to Auguste's; he will come to style my hair tomorrow at two o'clock. Then I walk; the Promenade is quite full, but a strange event has occurred -- the Labanoffs were not there, nor their escort. Woerman alone, but this poor creature is so happy to form the tail end of the Galve entourage that he has abandoned the amorous Beak for the moment. Now that is what I call (brown dress, good) a true, fine, and handsome set. Princess Souvoroff with her daughter in a carriage at leisure, white outfits with dark blue velvet, matching hats. Mother and daughter dressed alike look very much alike, and the mother is as young but more beautiful than the daughter. The carriage is a charming little genre-duc, very low and small; two grey horses followed, with Mlle de Galve in a dark red dress in a landau -- everything she wears becomes charming -- with three others from Mme Souvoroff's suite. The two ravishing children on foot, and Mme de Galve seated nearly opposite their hotel with her husband and an Italian duke. Audiffret (Emile d') is one of theirs -- poor boy. Woerman also tries to attach himself, but what is curious is that Lambertye is no longer with them in the street, as before.
This set is the only good thing in Nice. I hope that with time I shall have one like it. With God's help. A fine, grand entourage is no small happiness.
Well, good Lord -- I am not ugly, I am well made, I have a very fine waist, a small foot, golden hair, I have wit (to say so is proof that I am foolish); I speak French, English, Italian, and Russian; I love to enjoy myself.
But my mother has no entourage, and all of it serves no purpose -- yes, it serves this much: that some creature or other looks at me with an air first curious, then mocking, and that is all. But I pray to God every evening, and I dare to hope He will hear my prayer. I dare to hope still... but no, I am nothing but a fool. All the same, I shall once more beseech God to let us live as I would like. I am going to pray.

Notes

In English in the original.