Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Monday, 12 March 1877

Mme Hamontoff came with her daughter and the doctor — I was still in bed. It is very amusing to be ill; I laughed all morning, now with the visitors, now with Rosalie, who always finds occasion to speak to me about Monsieur the Count. Every morning I say to her:
— Well, how is Monsieur the Count?
And thereupon begins a whole story — what he has done and what he would have done if such-and-such had happened, and so on and so forth.
This execrable Florentine has spoiled my chambermaid — she is as free and easy as the coachman; it is true she amuses me.
Today at three o'clock the gentleman from two days ago showed himself to Rosalie. He had announced beforehand that he would alight a little before the hotel, pass through the garden, walk past again on the pavement, and finally get back into his carriage after the hotel. It was done to the letter.
— He is very presentable, but not a beauty — says Rosalie...
He had a coupé without coat of arms or initials — an adventure carriage; they all have one here... and elsewhere.
I saw nothing of this, having stayed in bed until two o'clock and only come to the window late, in Olga's company, with a small table covered in cards between us. The weather was fine and I was behind my window [Crossed out: open that makes] — like a plant in a greenhouse — looked at and looking at Merisano, officers, De Rosa, etc., etc., etc.
[Two lines cancelled]
Larderei's name is so constantly on my lips that it is the first and last subject of my conversation with Altamura — not to mention that I spoke of him... the whole time.
Maman and Dina dined at the Fabbricatores' with Nasimoff and the old Duc de Carmignano, who spoke of the Prince de Melissano, who speaks of nothing but us. The Hamontoffs came later, and there was music. I do not regret the evening — I joked with Rosalie about Monsieur the Count, Monsieur the Coachman, and Madam the Hussy.
Ah! yes — I have learned that low-cut drawers exist and that one wears them so as not to be hampered in one's movements; it is even very fashionable.
Maman brings me an invitation to a concert of the Philharmonic Circle — they say all the aristocracy goes. It is almost a social outing. I am in bed, but I shall certainly get up to go — it is tomorrow.
Società Filarmonica Rappresentazione Del
20 Marzo 1877

Notes

In Italian in the original: "Philharmonic Society Performance of —" ↩
In Italian in the original: "20 March 1877." ↩