Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Tuesday, 25 December 1877

I went to work at the atelier, but there was no one but Amélie and me; while Amélie was at church Julian came up and we settled the terms for the sculpture I shall send to the Exposition de Nice.
In the afternoon, Dina and I delivered calling cards for these ladies to the Boyds, to Mme de Tanlay, to Mme de Fayet, and so on.
I wrote something or other to Marcuard. I am not in the mood. It is cold.
Julian believes we are very well established in Parisian high society; he asked me to obtain some information that the Princesse de Caraman might provide, and all manner of other things.
It made me agitated.
I assure you, I lead a dog's life — the atelier alone saves me... I am wretched!...
The household ill-kept, money short... nuisance!
What a youth, my emperor! What consoles me a little is that many people think I am enjoying myself. But those who know me closely — Blanc, and the servants — know that we see no one. And indeed we see no one... I stop here, for if I wrote another ten lines in this vein I should become raving mad or rabid.