Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Monday, 1 March 1875

At half past eleven I set off for San Remo with Nadinka and her children — Sacha left yesterday (grey dress, good).
Nadinka was asking me all manner of questions during the journey; I barely answered, thinking of Hamilton and of my finger. I sprained my finger yesterday morning and it worries me considerably.
At about two o'clock, I believe, we arrive. Maman is lodging at the Hotel de San Remo on the second floor to be near Botkine, who comes to see her every day.
I find her better than in Nice; the first thing I did was to look at her gums, whose pallor had so frightened me at the moment of her departure. I undressed and put on Maman's white embroidered cashmere dressing gown, then settled myself beside the bed. Towards six o'clock my aunt arrives and we spend the evening with Maman, talking of a thousand things.
The rooms and the beds above all are execrable. Oh Italy, Italy — when will it ever be possible to sleep comfortably beneath your ever-blue sky!
As for eating — out of the question, and without the bread from the Russian baker who is here for the Empress, and the omelettes we make ourselves in the fireplace, one would die of hunger.