Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Friday, 1 January 1875

New Year! My God, extend Your protection over me for this coming year, and receive my humble thanks for Your blessings during the one that has just passed.

Vendredi, 1 janvier 1875

The mad Gambart, or the idiotic Gambart, or the ill-mannered Gambart, or the impertinent Gambart — he came while I was having my morning tea. He asked how Maman was, and when I told him she was ill he did not come inside the house but remained a few minutes in the garden, was very agreeable, and promised to come back to wish us a happy new year in twelve days — the Russian New Year.

Le fou Gambart ou l'imbecile Gambart, ou le mal eleve Gambart, ou l'impertinent Gambart est venu pendant que je prenais mon the de matin...

I cannot understand this man — after having been more than agreeable, more than attentive at Spa, in Paris, in Nice, after a few days he turns cold, gives afternoon receptions without inviting us, and then here he is again — the devil knows why.

Je ne comprends pas cet homme, apres avoir ete plus qu'aimable, plus qu'empresse a Spa, a Paris, a Nice...

Maman is a little better — she takes advantage of this slight improvement and dashes off to Monte-Carlo with my aunt and Walitsky. I walk with Dina (white dress) and send Foster a bouquet, and Madame de Mouzay and her daughter two bouquets.

Maman va un peu mieux, profite de ce petit mieux et court a Monte-Carlo avec ma tante et Walitsky. Je me promene avec Dina (robe blanche) et envoie a Foster un bouquet et a de Mouzay et sa fille deux bouquets.

I also dispatched two letters to Russia — one for Uncle Étienne, the other for Uncle Alexandre. The first concerns my journey to Russia (to lease the lands, since Uncle Alexandre is not sending the revenues); the second aims to soften Alexandre (for I had written him quite a frank letter requesting him to send me my silverware), to win him over and appear kind and affectionate toward him. He is a wicked man sometimes, and could do me harm in the meanwhile — I need that. I think of the delicacy required by my mission when I go to Russia, since the purpose of the trip is to take the management of my aunt's property from him, and to lease it out, arranging so that the tenants pay the rent directly to my aunt without passing through my uncle's hands or those of his brother.

J'expediai aussi deux lettres en Russie une pour l'oncle Etienne, l'autre pour l'oncle Alexandre...

There was a great quantity of society — everyone was out of doors, even de Constantin, whom one never sees.

Il y avait une grande quantite de monde, tous etaient dehors meme de Constantin qu'on ne voit jamais.

I have reserved a box for tomorrow — for the benefit performance of the excellent singer Dory.

J'ai retenu une loge pour demain [au] benefice de la bonne chanteuse Dory.

In the evening I listened to Papa — he adores telling stories, and I often learn a great deal from him about Russian history and literature.

Le soir j'ai ecoute papa, il adore raconter et j'apprends souvent de lui beaucoup de choses d'histoire et de litterature russes.