Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Sunday, 19 May 1878

Goldsmid arrives, and then — guess who... Multedo.
Well, sir, you are back already — did you not serve your twenty-eight days then?
He is ugly, I am very mocking, and he pays court to Dina.
Mouzay and his daughter to dinner. The daughter tells me that there is a Mme Presseq — a little bourgeoise from Vauban, ugly, common, with large feet — but a sleepwalker, whom Popaul believes to be divinely inspired, without whom he does nothing, to whom he gives all his money, who
procures mistresses for him, mends his socks, keeps his accounts — and that as long as this woman has him he will never marry. It seems he has said that:
— For Marie, I'd throw every woman out the window.
If it were true I should be very pleased.
There has also been a Claire who has... children... Etc.
We spend the evening joking together; she speaks of her sculptor.
Cassagnac behaves just as I do about this skull — the originality of which everyone is congratulating Breslau. I write to him what you see here appended.
With de Daillens we compose another missive for him, conceived thus:
[Sunday, 19 May 1878]
Not content with paying calls in Passy and Chaillot, you give nocturnal festivities at home. Where might one obtain complimentary tickets to your orgies???
No later than ten days ago, three unknown women slipped into the mysterious No. 10. At midnight two departed — well now... the third... the third...
Popaul, you hear me perfectly. You know, honourable one, that it makes my mouth water — for though diminished you are not entirely without resource. Oh yes you are!
Your day shall be mine, your hour mine, your weapons... ours.
Taitbout Office XXX.
This note has not yet been sent... and never was.