Monday, 27 April 1874

Maman is ill. I am bored.
We were speaking of the races and someone said that the Duke of Hamilton did not look like a duke but like a butcher. Father, forgive them, they do not see what they are saying.
The Duke and Duchess of Hamilton arrived on the 18th of this month in Constantinople, coming directly from Alexandria; the Princess of Monaco accompanies them (Derby). How I wish I could say how much I envy, I rage, and how I weep inwardly! I love travel, I love grandeur, I love pomp, I love everything that is as I love. And all of it is there!
I do not say that I love him above all else -- that goes without saying. How many times have I said that he is the perfection of perfections for me.
Everything I say only agitates me and does not say what I want to say. I understand myself; that is enough, that is a great deal, that is too much.
The person who knew me would well guess how much these few lines of the diary torment me, what they contain for me, how envious, wretched, contemptible, and unworthy I feel.
I see my dreams, my dearest and most secret wishes, stolen, and on top of that they mock me! They have stolen my plans, my designs for the future, my dreams -- they have realized my false desires. Yes, on top of that they torment me and they mock me, my God!