Friday, 23 August 1878

Barnola came. One idea torments and absorbs me. I am nearly twenty. And since at fourteen I looked seventeen — judge, then, what age I must appear now! People are astonished that I am not yet married. In short, I am humiliated, and I should like to avoid everyone who knows me...
They do not even think of marrying off Dina! Of me I say nothing — it is not their concern; but they truly believe that this poor mad creature is made to remain locked in this dreadful apartment. They await a "chance occurrence" and rely on "Providence." Out of laziness, incompetence, and moral stupefaction, they are fatalists...
I want to marry Issayevitch to Dina. My God — since it is not for me, You should at least grant me this. It has happened that when one applies all one's energy to a project, one brings it to a good end. I should like to apply myself to becoming Gambetta's woman.