Saturday, 30 September 1876 (18 September) — Post-Prank Aftermath and Cassagnac Admiration

I slept in my father's room, and until noon.
I tried to drive the difficult horse, but with the Russian harness I have not the strength. They harnessed both horses together in the English style, and it went perfectly — I shall be able to drive them abroad then.
On returning I found the newspapers — Le Figaro, which is publishing "Le secret du chevalier de Medrane," a novel by Granier de Cassagnac the father. A sort of didactic novel in which M. de Cassagnac gives his heroes divinely honourable and moral thoughts and principles. In the journal of one of the heroes I perfectly recognised the manner and ideas of Paul de Cassagnac, and having conceived a great admiration and a sincere respect for him (if he does not lie) I found myself somehow jealous of the woman who inspired in him such feelings, such respect, such adoration.
I am working myself up over a vile journalist... call him what you will, name him what you please — what I have said I have said, and I believe it, unless — unless he is a hypocrite.

Notes

Adolphe Granier de Cassagnac (1806–1880), French journalist and Bonapartist polemicist, father of Paul de Cassagnac.