Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Sunday, 4 March 1877

Our weather is abominable — a wind — but a wind — I'll say no more — consequently everyone's nerves are in disorder.
Always the same — "thank you, I am quite well" — but not a word about Maman's health, who I am told has been quite unwell of late — and Dina? What is she doing — is she enjoying herself too. ... yes... don't ask.
Clubs will surely read the letter — the consequences of this letter will be stirring — happy — it will result in much money and a radical change in the King of Clubs' situation.
[Written across: Pay close attention to this prophecy.]
Part Four
For the heart:
A little sadness.
For ideas: they float between the two rather somber queens.
[Three lines cancelled]
For the household:
[Crossed out: much] calm, [words cancelled] happiness, that which he does not know
insignificant cards.
what awaits him:
much money and a relative happiness occasioned by the King of Hearts.
Sunday 4 March 1877
Doenhoff took his leave, and from the balcony we watched his departure, with the Fabbricatores who came later.
Maman chatted with the ladies from Poltava; two carriages were at the door, the young women in one, the parents in the other, and we drove about until six o'clock, then went to the Skating to see a children's fête, and consequently a crowd. Through these young women — named Marie and Hélène — we learned all the gossip, and the one that amused me above all others.
Imagine — Suave has been the page of the Duchess de Sarno for two years. I was certain this boy would not begin with taverns, and I am equally certain he will become either a great Don Juan or a vile bedroom favorite.
While people were pointing out figures to me and attaching names and gossip to them, I noticed a man very like Larderei but more handsome — that is to say, more regular-featured. I watched him a great deal; it seemed I was seeing Larderei and I was pleased by the illusion. I repeat what I said last year: since the Duke of Hamilton I have seen nothing as seductive as Larderei.
Borghese wears openwork silk doublets; he rolls up his sleeves to show his arms to the chambermaid who enters while he is still in bed; he chats with his personal chaplain while perfuming himself; the coiffeur comes to beautify him twice a day; he is as indolent and refined as a woman. [Two lines cancelled]
Each morning when he takes his bath he leaves his door ajar and displays himself to the servants of both sexes with complete complacency; they say he is admirably made.
As time passes, the desire to see him grows.
We go to the Opera, inviting the Fabbricatores and Nasimoff. Everyone is pointed out to us, so that in these two days I know as much about Naples as I do about Nice.
There was especially a certain De Rosa — an enormously rich upstart who has been admiring me for some time.
I was in fairly good spirits — Nasimoff had said only good things about Larderei, and the man at the Skating having revived my memory of his charming features and that wild, pleasant air [bottom of page blank] — I became quite cheerful, and as we were all together at the exit with Merisano and others looking on, I approached the poster and calling to Marie Fabbricatore:
— Do come and look.
— What is it?
— Just read the poster: in occasione dell'arrivo del conte Alexandro de Larderei appalto sospeso!
— But...
— But it is truly extraordinary.
Merisano and the Englishman with him glanced at the poster while I turned away [bottom of page blank] to repeat the same thing to our ladies.
On returning I learn that Borghese has been in bed since nine in the evening, and I go to bed too, with the most absurd ideas.
Part One
Queen of Diamonds turned up as first card — Ace of Clubs beside it (letter) — King of Clubs is not alone; he has an old man very close to him and to his interests — the old man thinks of nothing but this King of Clubs — he will have to receive a piece of news that will greatly stir him — news relating to an indispensable journey — which will not be short — and bearing on a matter of money and a change in his position. In this letter the Queen of Diamonds will play a role — the change augurs a good future for the King of Clubs — for the moment he is still very far from the Queen of Diamonds — he thinks more of his own interests than of the Queen of Diamonds — there is a Queen of Clubs who is close to him and who plays a large role in his financial affairs — she is close to his household — very close to his interests — she is probably a compatriot.
Part Two
Much talking — gossip apparent, many ladies busy themselves with him.
The closest is the Queen of Clubs, and she is the one with the greatest advantage for capturing the king — she stands between him and his thoughts — entering entirely into his interests.
The King of Spades (the old man) is scheming to arrange something good for this King of Clubs — but the thoughts of the King of Clubs turn at the same time and constantly toward the Queen of Diamonds, well placed amid very favorable cards auguring much happiness — for her part she is pursued by a King of Diamonds who is extremely close to her and who will certainly give her gifts.
The letter mentioned earlier for the King of Clubs must absolutely arrive, and again it is said that the Queen of Diamonds will figure in it — the Queen of Clubs will certainly read the letter — the consequences of this letter will be stirring — happy — it will result in much money and a radical change in the King of Clubs' situation —
On returning I learn that Borghese has been in bed since nine [o'clock] in the evening, and I go to bed too, with the most absurd ideas.

Notes

Marie's nickname for a young man she calls "Zuave" or "Suave" — a wordplay on suave (smooth, charming). ↩
Marie's invented Italian: "On the occasion of the arrival of Count Alessandro de Larderei, bidding suspended." ↩