Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Sunday, 20 July 1879

I stayed three hours at the Gavinis', where Messieurs Galloni d'Istria, de Vallon, de Chaudordy, de Châteaurenard, de Pressac, Géry, etc. etc. came one after another. Some ladies too, but I kept to Gavini's study with the men, listening and talking politics. I had a few felicitous remarks, which made me an agreeable listener and put me in good humour. There is no talk but of yesterday's meeting, the Prince's attitude at the funeral, and all that you know from the newspapers.
I have never felt so at ease as in the midst of these senators, former ambassadors, former State Counselors and deputies. The topics lending themselves to it, everyone was interesting and witty. It was the son of Baron de Nervo who brought the freshest news from the avenue d'Antin, and who tried to win Gavini back to good feelings. But Gavini, while giving his allegiance, remains reserved. He says that had he not been intimate with the Prince things would be simple — but they were friends, and then called each other "rebel prince" and "mountebank" from one side and the other. In short, he would only go there if the Prince sent Géry or another friend to ask him to come. That is why, I believe, Géry arrived an hour after Nervo had left.