Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Sunday, 28 February 1875

We went for a walk, Nadinka, Marie and I, in this beautiful Sunday weather, and admired Gioia — that adorable creature — I above all others, to the point where I admit only two women to be worth anything at all: she and I.
We leave Marie at her house and come home to dinner. She returns at eight o'clock and we go to the opera to see Dinorah, which is said to be well staged here. We take all the children — Stiopa, Julie, Liouba — everyone looked at us when we came in, and when I began to settle these little men, Marie was not much bigger than they were, and I in my white dress simply coiffed, my hair curled loose down my back, did not look much like anyone's mother — and Nadinka too, very young in black, receded into the background. Truly, if it were not for my height one would give me twelve years. Once seated, I made them eat oranges and ate some myself, so that the box was as delightful a sight as could be imagined.
It amused me and I smiled while surveying the audience, well filled this evening — with its Audiffret, who was also looking and smiling. In my poverty of society, that is my sole consolation. Is it not absurd that this Englishman has gone? The detestable count has called several times already, but I have never received him.