Monday, 6 January 1879

There is a little riot at the studio. I did a Cassagnac, as usual on these occasions — and as those women are unaccustomed to speeches, they were left speechless.
I walked with Mme Gavini. This skylight onto the world exasperates me more than I can say. Mme Gavini was yesterday at Princess Mathilde's, who receives everything that is elegant, intelligent, and artistic. It is a small court.
I do not know what keeps me from throwing myself from the top of the Arc de Triomphe! It is that I wish to leave my statue behind — and if I take this delay, I may no longer have the courage.
The senatorial elections went well — Republican. The Gers alone misbehaved, which makes me fear a success for Cassagnac.