Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Tuesday, 1 July 1879

As a great many newspapers are dated the following day, and this would confuse you, I warn you that these are: Le Gaulois, L'Estafette, Le Pays.
Reading the revolting and cynical depositions of the English soldiers has outraged me, I think, even more than the murder itself.
Dina, who is so calm, could not bear to hear the reading to the end; she got up and told me in a truly moved voice that she did not wish to hear, that she could not bear to hear such horrors any longer. Such infamies as these need no commentary. They surpass everything one can imagine in the way of cowardice, atrocity, cynicism, horror.
And I am ready to say with Madame Gavini that if anything would give me a nervous attack, it would be hearing the English spoken of.
If grandfather were alive he would be made ill by it. But at least the poor dear "little Prince" will not have passed unnoticed, and the glory of his name and his glorious death will be the punishment of his enemies. It is foolish to confess, but when I think of all this splendid and heart-rending affair I feel my skin tighten and my breath stop — and then I would gladly sign the death warrant of all these traitors. Their depositions! Has anything so appalling, so hideous, so cowardly ever been seen! I read these filths in a cab on the way to the studio, and I clenched my teeth to keep from crying out — but without the noise of the wheels one would hear me moaning despite my clenched teeth... I know it is ridiculous for someone I have never seen. But it is not for the man. It is all these infamous circumstances! I hope I am not addressing convicts, and that my indignation will be shared.
As for Cassagnac, I no longer adore him, because he has been clumsy and almost ridiculous in this affair. But then, what a disgrace!
This Jérôme, whom he always insulted, who is now becoming his master.
That excellent Acard was impatiently awaiting his chance to succeed poor Monsieur Rouher — and now...
In short, he is nothing but a magnificent loudmouth, as Rosalie would say. And his position with regard to the Prince is at least as difficult as the Prince's with regard to the Empire. But Jérôme is manoeuvring with extraordinary prudence and will eventually find his way out of this difficult pass — that is, will contrive to have himself extricated from it. Whereas my friend Paul is finished. My friend Paul has lacked tact, and I wait for him to rehabilitate himself.