I took my first lesson with Laussel. From there we went to several places — carpet dealers, heating specialists, and so forth.

What a painful task it is to organise a house when one does not have much money. They are sending ten thousand francs from Russia, and the letter for the horse has been written. My God, let this horse arrive and let me enjoy it!!!

(Ostend hat — not bad; in comparison with before, magnificent.)

I am annoyed, for twice I blushed on seeing d'Audiffret! Fortunately I only blushed when he was already far off. That little creature turns and stares insistently every time, which made me smile several times, for I have not interpreted the looks he throws me in an insulting way.

We have taken a subscription for a stage-side box in the first tier, and this evening everyone is at the theatre. I stay with Maman (I sleep at my aunt's): to the right sleeps Sandwich, to the left on the bed, Dori; opposite, on the sofa, Bagatelle; before me is a tray with cold chicken and fruit. From time to time I sing the Requiem, which I am mad about.

The day before yesterday Gambart spent an hour at our house. He has wit, and despite his age is quite like a young man, full of wit, [Crossed out: full] of energy and health. Ah! If Dina became Mme Gambart. For me he is too common and old, but for her it would be something magnificent, as A. Foster says.

Dear Dina is past nineteen, with no beauty of face at all, and a very mediocre figure.

[In the margin: I was mistaken — she has a beautiful body and the most beautiful, lightest ash-blonde hair in the world, which falls below her knees.]