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Friday, 16 May 1879
Gavini is back from his trip to Corsica; we meet again at the Salon, where all high society is gathered. Princess Mathilde was very gracious to the Gavinis, and I felt so wretched that I truly do not know where it came from; and when Madame de Rothschild spoke to me I blushed to the ears. Now I imagine the Gavinis take me for a hanger-on because I walked on old Gavini’s arm. In short... I am as sad as I was gay two days ago. For no reason.Vendredi 16 mai 1879
The Salon is a dangerous thing, because on seeing the rubbish — genuine rubbish — to be found there, one begins to think oneself somebody when one is still nothing.
Le Salon est une mauvaise chose, parce qu’en voyant les saletés, de vraies saletés, qui s’y trouvent on commence à se croire quelqu’un quand on n’est encore rien.
Collignon’s father died this morning; I shall write to her.
Le père de Collignon est mort ce matin, je vais lui écrire.
Ah! go on — my life is not worth very much.
Ah ! allez, ma vie ne vaut pas grand chose.