❦
Sunday, 2 August 1874
We go to watch the good people leaving church. Gericke stops not far from us and watches as we do; he looks wretched. Up close he improves greatly; from a distance he is not composed, he is not sure of himself. I never look at him, not even when he bows; to tell the truth, he interests me only moderately. I am in white; I am the very slightest bit better than yesterday, for a moment only. Maman wants to pay a call on Countess Merjeewsky; for this we cross the Seven O'Clock Avenue. We do not stay long.Dimanche, 2 août 1874
At the music, Wheelwright with his magnificent greyhound comes to speak with us; he is racing tomorrow.
À la musique, Wheelwright avec son magnifique lévrier vient nous parler, il court demain.
I should very much like to ride to the races but I have no one to go with. The heart told the young man to leave; he has the face of a hanged man today. We go into the Orange when the count says:
Je voudrais beaucoup aller à cheval aux courses mais je n'ai avec qui, le cœur a dit au jeune homme de partir, il a une face de pendu aujourd'hui. Nous entrons à Orange lorsque le comte dit :
"Well, Mademoiselle, am I leaving today as I left for Brussels?"
— Eh bien Mademoiselle, est-ce que je pars aujourd'hui comme je partais pour Bruxelles ?
"How did you leave for Brussels? I do not remember."
— Comment partiez-vous à Bruxelles, je ne m'en souviens pas.
"Ah, you do not remember?"
— Ah vous ne vous souvenez pas ?
"No, truly. My memory is so... you know."
— Non, vraiment ; j'ai la mémoire tellement... vous savez.
He was repeating my words after me. The dinner was bad. I spend the evening at home and go to bed at eleven o'clock; that is much better.
Il répétait les paroles après moi. Le dîner était mauvais. Je passe le soir chez moi, et me couche à onze heures, c'est beaucoup mieux.
I want to fix myself up; I am so ugly.
Je veux m'arranger, je suis si laide.