Thursday, 22 March 1877

The letter left this morning. I went for a walk on foot in the morning, accompanied by Rosalie.
Mme and Mlle Hamontoff come, and the latter sets to singing as always, without being asked. She does not sing badly, but there are days when it can drive one to fury. The mother is so honeyed and effusive that it could drive one mad. She would make one capable of committing terrible things.
Despite this I am so weary of being shut in that I ask her to take me to the Skating, but at the door we meet the Fabbricatores who are coming up — instead, I ask them to carry me off for a turn along the Chiaia and then deposit me at the Skating door, where I shall find Dina and the Hamontoffs.
I am ugly, I am disgusting, I am ridiculous. They say horrible things about me — I am certain! They say I have twenty-seven million. It is absurd, abominable. Ah! I think I am going to go mad. Such fatigue, such torpor — one cannot imagine it!
Melissano performed a little leap while in the landau of Princess Pignatelli (mother of the future charming prince). She saw me at the Splendid Hotel in Paris. And then I see her son — he is driving two small horses. I think he has something like down on his upper lip, and since he knows he is being noticed he is quite changed — he has drawn himself up, he has the air of a young man; this metamorphosis amuses me greatly.
[Words blacked out: (illegible) wished like one condemned] to death. I lowered my head so that I could not be seen. Ah, good God.
Bikowsky and Altamura come in the evening, but I am in such a state that I remain an hour in my room lamenting to Rosalie before going to the drawing room. I do not know what is wrong with me. If it is an illness, let it declare itself — this atrocious state drives me to despair... I am so overwrought, so vexed that I could fly at people for the slightest word!
Rage and fury against everything and everyone — beginning with myself!
[Words blacked out: She had caught a chill and was already consumptive.] (Writing of Mme Bashkirtseff.)
I detest myself — I detest my dresses, my hats, my voice, everything! I detest myself like Bruschetti! And everyone must detest me!
Before going to bed I make abominable puns that make Maman, Dina, and Rosalie laugh — I laugh myself and then I detest myself!