Sunday, 6 October 1878

What an existence!!
At eight o’clock I thought it already eleven. So I began playing scales on the mandoline while reading Balzac. Why do they say Balzac is disillusioning? Having read three instalments of Duruy’s Roman History, I read La Vie Parisienne and Le Pays, where the fulminating continues...
The last evening at 10bis was a true disgrace for me — you know that, do you not?
When I am rid of my entourage... and if I ever have anything decent in this world, I shall have well and truly earned it.