Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Tuesday, 4 November 1879

Mardi, 4 novembre 1879

We go to see "Les Mirabeau," a new play, in two boxes with M. and Mme Gavini, Chaudordy, de Morgan, Gery and then Gabriel.

Nous allons voir "Les Mirabeau" piece nouvelle, en deux loges avec M. et Mme Gavini, Chaudordy, de Morgan, Gery et puis Gabriel.

The heir of Russia and his wife are in a stage box and do nothing but look at us through their glasses; They saw clearly, says Mme Gavini, that we are people of proper standing and that there are no boors in our boxes.

L'heritier de Russie et sa femme sont dans une avant-scene et ne font que nous lorgner; Ils ont bien vu, dit Mme Gavini que nous sommes des gens comme il faut et qu'il n'y a pas de pignoufs dans nos loges.

I was not in the mood but I brought back from this evening a defense of Cassagnac and a greater love of liberty. Mme Gavini says she would have liked to live before the Revolution, in the time of privileges, at court... myself, if I had been born before the Revolution I would have made it, to the extent of my powers. Yes — but Cassagnac does not have the other's talent, he does not have the other's role either, he does not even have a cause to defend... so he is not excusable... But what the devil is he reproached for? What has he done? Improprieties... which I would not even concern myself with, were they of the utmost gravity, if the hero were greater.

Je n'etais pas entrain mais j'ai rapporte de cette soiree une apologie de Cassagnac et un amour plus grand de la liberte. Mme Gavini dit qu'elle aimerait bien avoir vecu avant la Revolution, au temps des privileges, a la cour... moi si j'etais nee avant la Revolution je l'aurais faite., dans la mesure de mes forces. Oui-mais Cassagnac n'a pas le talent de l'autre, il n'a pas non plus le role de l'autre, il n'a meme pas de cause a defendre... donc il n'est pas excusable... Mais que diable lui reproche-t-on ? Qu'a-t-il fait ? Des indelicatesses... dont je ne m'occuperais meme pas, fussent-elles de la derniere gravite, si le heros etait plus grand.