The deacon invited himself to lunch at our rooms; at two o'clock we were rid of him, and at three we set off on foot.

I am in great anxiety about my clothes; I have several hats, not one of them pleases me; I have a dress that is too tight in the chest. It is so difficult to dress well at my age.

Laferriere is making me a white wool outfit and a black jacket. I bought yet another hat; I do not know what will become of it. We saw the Durands in a landau; I had scarcely finished returning their greetings and smiles when Lewin passed near us and raised his hat — all the wicked things said about them were invented, since he is here with them. I took a turn through the Rue de la Paix and bought several things. They refuse me nothing; I am so ill!

After dinner Dina drags my aunt off to wander the streets, and I stay behind, finding these promenades improper and useless. They return and we talk about the furniture. I am impatient to be in Nice; the garden is still in ruins, I must go there and by my presence work wonders. Truly it seems to me that without me nothing gets done; everything languishes. And indeed they are waiting for me for the garden.

Having bought the horse, I shall return as quickly as possible and plunge into my studies and the arrangements of our house. Someone is needed who speaks plainly, even harshly, who calls things by their names and makes the work advance and has the final word on all matters and decides — that someone shall be me, God willing.