Friday, 3 July 1874

It is hot; I have nothing to put on. I stay home and admire my arms and my golden curls. A most amusing occupation, and almost my favorite.
Someone comes to tell me that a gentleman asks to speak with me; I ask for his card -- it is M. Gambart. I go down to the drawing room; he comes to ask after Maman. She was very ill last evening and Dr. Lezask was called. Gambart was slightly moved on learning of the illness. I am rarely mistaken, even when I should so like to be; well then, my mother has won a victory. This M. Gambart is not in love -- a man like him, at his age, is not in love -- but my mother pleases him. At his house he always gave her his arm; he paid court to her as much as a retired art dealer, rich and copying English stiffness, can do.
I ran upstairs; my face was animated, smiling slyly. In an instant I darkened; I became serious, severe. After all, I thought, let her marry him -- I shall take a settlement and never see her again.
That is what I say several times, for a laugh, in front of everyone.
In the evening the music was already over when I came. The count disgusted me at the Casino; I was bored, Basilevitch too. We went home early while the dancing continued.
The puppy told me several times that I had not gone out this morning, that it was a grief to several persons. I sent him away; he assured me that he could not enjoy himself better than where he was, etc. etc.
Oh! misery of miseries.
Duke of Hamilton, I love you, I have only you, I love you!
There is an invocation as of old; so much the worse -- I had been containing myself too long. Every evening, watching the moon rise over the clear sky through the cool, thick trees, every evening I believed myself at Baden, breathing this air of the northern summer. Every evening I thought how much I love him!
My faith, so much the worse: if in a year I become too wise and want to erase myself, I protest, for I think what I write.
After all (calmly), there is nothing else to do; so let us love him.

Notes

In English in the original.