Sunday, 18 March 1877

This morning the mandolin player sent me the name of Larderel’s opponent: it is the Marquis Niccolini.

Walking with Maman, I met Bikowsky of Nice. He is the cousin of the one in Paris, and his cards bear a prince’s coronet and “Gryf-Jaxa-Bikowsky”.

This man has made many jealous among the idlers of Naples¹ in patent-leather boots, who go hunting for adventures from morning onwards and swoop down on foreign women.

We walk to the Skating like Englishwomen, accompanied by Bikowsky.

Toys were being given out to the children there; Bikowsky brought me several, and I assured Pascarola that I played with dolls.

— What, you, so learned, so artistic, so witty! You are making fun of me!

But I kept assuring him of it, with perfect simplicity. I love to make people jump.

Alas! it was Borghese! The one from the Fondo and from Friday. Alas!

Pascarola gave fresh details about the duel, adding that:

— Larderel was wounded, but it is Niccolini who has been punished, for he has been left with that person on his hands.

I have written eight letters: to Foster, to Mouzay, to Berthe, to Reboux, to Laferrière, to Collignon, to my aunt and to Lefèvre.

In my letter to Collignon I send my regards to la Daniloff; the poor woman will be touched by it — she was not received in our house. And then the letter to Lefèvre. He was not expecting it. It costs nothing, and it wins... friendships better than a great deal of expense... to have people speak well of me can do no harm.