Tuesday, 4 March 1879

I went to see Madame Gavini and we went out together; she paid a few calls while I read the newspapers in the carriage.
The Comtesse Murat was there with her daughter-in-law. Ah yes — Monsieur Gavini is finally validated! One is in seventh heaven. One speaks with enthusiasm of the Prince's departure, then weeps over the dangers he may run and goes into raptures over his energy. He consulted no one! "He did right," says Madame Gavini, "his mother was annoying him, after all!"
And besides, if these good Zulus eat a Napoleon, one will not be too devastated. Him dead — no more party, no more obligations — one turns to that hussy of a Republic which is after all the Empire's sister... and one has posts and honors... Cassagnac says the Revolution had two children: the Empire, which is a man and represents the family with dignity, and the Republic, which is a girl who went wrong.