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 a dreadful tease, and he pays court to Dina.
Mouzay and her daughter to dinner. The daughter tells me that there is a Mme Presseq — a little bourgeoise from Vauban, ugly, common, with big feet, but a clairvoyant somnambulist — whom Popaul believes to be 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 ch... every woman out of the window.
If it were true I should be very pleased.
There was also 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 him what you see attached here.
With de Daillens we put together another contraption for him, devised as follows:
[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???
Only ten days ago, three unknown women slipped into the mysterious No. 10. At midnight two departed — well now... the third... the third...
Popaul, you understand me perfectly. Do you know, honourable member, that my mouth is watering — for though invalidated, you are not entirely an invalid. Oh yes you are!
Your day shall be mine, your hour mine, your weapons... ours.
Taitbout Office XXX.
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