Saturday, 13 September 1879

Dinner at Hecht's! M. and Mme Dubail who so to speak did the honors, she was born Martinez, a sort of Creole from Mme de Lesseps' circle. Hecht arranged this marriage; Dubail is a mayor's son and friend etc. etc. Then the Baron de Beyens, Arene secretary of M. Lepere otherwise known as Father Pipe, Minister of the Interior, Da Costa, Alexis. And us. It takes place on the rue du Chateau d'Eau on the first floor, a rather artistic little apartment with very beautiful paintings, Rousseaus, Corots, Troyons, Delacroix and even Raphael.
I played the reactionary with the ambassador and Hecht paid me quite aristocratic gallantries.
He receives with ease and seems accustomed to it. We had the day before exchanged the following telegrams, which gave rise to some pleasantries between us.
Me to him:
Uncle will not come, to introduce springtime element will invite Serbian tyrant failing dawn nearer to democratic sun.
Marianne Him to me:
Serbian invitation luminous as constellation of Ville d'Avray, I bless you... Greetings and brotherhood.
Joseph.
This Jew signing Joseph! Joseph who has the finest figure in the world!
What a study one would make of it. Hecht had promised me Juliette Lamber but she is going to publish a review, she is in all her little papers...
- Are you not among hers...
To which he replied two hours later as I pointed out a painting to him:
- Manet? I asked.
- Yes, Manet Thecel Phares.