Saturday, 7 August 1875

In thought Girofla is indifferent to me today. It is my eternal desires for greatness that torment me.
If such a state continues I shall have nothing for it but to dash my head against the wall! [Two lines cancelled] — the infamous one can overturn everything,
[Eight pages torn out] — satisfaction of crying out and weeping; I hold back my sobs but in their place come sighs that resemble death rattles.
Indeed there is no one more wretched; accustomed to luxury, adoring society, to think of poverty and scandal, of shame. Oh! I swear that if it were not for my mothers, I would not hesitate an instant — I would die this moment; but in killing myself I kill my entire family.
But no, it will not happen! God will not punish me so severely — I have committed no crime; I am barely come into the world. I am so young; I have harmed no one!
My God, my God, hear my voice — do not abandon me! Do not make me so unhappy! Do not kill me. Or else let me die simply — and with my two mothers, for without me they would be too wretched.
Do that, my God, instead of the other misfortune, if I have so greatly displeased You. But no — we are not permitted to choose, and death is not a punishment. You wish to martyr me — oh no, do not do it. My God, forgive me if I am guilty toward You — You are so great; do not stoop to despising the most humble of Your creatures.
Oh! I have no more words — oh, if only I could cry out!
My God, why do You send me these sad thoughts — why? Is it to prepare me for misfortune? But no — You will spare me; You will not martyr me!
O Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of our Savior, pray to God for me! You are my last hope! Surely You will take pity on me, O holy Mary.
When I pray mentally my thoughts wander; I no longer know what I am saying. Only in writing do I understand myself.
Forgive me if it is wrong to write out my prayers — I did not know that [Crossed out: it was] it might be wrong. It is not wrong.
No one will read it but me!
I have no more words — let my silence be understood. Let all my torment be understood!
How desolating it is — I believed in happiness, I believed I was born to be happy.
See how one is mistaken. And yet — no! No! No! Despite everything I hope! God will hear me!
I am a little calmer. We have no lawyer — Alexandre delays matters because it is in his interest to keep everyone in his clutches. While the enemies work, nothing is done to defend ourselves! We have only God on our side: that would be quite enough if He were willing to be favorable to us. But I have the feeling He is turning away.
And yet I pray to Him so much — for everything I turn to Him. Will He not take into account my humility before Him, my faith?
I asked myself whether I could enter a convent or kill myself. I can do neither.
[Written across the page: It was the lawsuit that was driving me mad. There was nothing so violent to fear.]
I want to live, live, live! If misfortune came we should go to America.
How it would grieve me. My God, take pity on me — protect me!
I am calm enough now to speak of everything, and I begin by saying that the weather was superb and I am sorry I did not go to the Bois.
Stiopa has just come in; he knocks at my door and asks whether I would like some tea. I answer that I am falling asleep. Indeed, how could I show myself with this desolate face and these red eyes.
No one has as much fun as I do — and equally, no one knows how to grieve as I do. I am extreme in everything.
It is midnight — since half past ten I have been reading the cards; I read them too often for them to count. And yet they tell enough truth, since they speak of tears and sorrows.