Friday, 23 May 1879

So yesterday I went and listened at the door to what my respectable family was saying. And I believe that this time I shall preserve no more illusions concerning any of these people.
For two hours I listened to them consoling one another and quieting their consciences by heaping all the blame on me and saying I am punished by heaven because I persecute the wretched Georges. Everything that strangers and enemies might say — it was all said. I was slandered, I was defiled, I was degraded. Every one of my vanities was wounded, and thick dirty fingers were poked into every wound of my heart since I was a young woman. And I no longer believe it is mere stupidity — for when Jeanne, who knows of the persecutions against this wretched Georges, met my mother and said to her: "My dear friend, my dear friend, Marie is right; do not oppose what would deliver you from this shame."
— My charming mother replied: "But my dear madame, on the contrary, I wish to be rid of him, and do not doubt that we are taking measures — we have already taken some; what torments and distresses me is that my poor child should compromise herself by sticking her nose into everything."