Tuesday, 16 December 1879

We go back to the skating with Alexis, who is funny and guides me on the ice, but just as it was beginning to go well Berthe felt sick; a little more and it would have been dramatic. We left — Berthe very unwell in her corner, Alexis doubled up on the seat, and I laughing fit to burst at I know not what, or rather at the young Serb opposite me; one is so close in a cab that one cannot help looking each other straight in the eye, and then I always talk nonsense among intimates, and Alexis does not answer much; he laughs with his eyes, which crinkle up, crinkle up, as the Princess’s do.

When I believe people harmless I always attack them.