Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Monday, 22 December 1879

I return to the studio just in time for competition week. Fine model, good seat, well disposed.
It was trembling that I returned to the Gavinis'; I imagined that the Gerys had told them about Arnaud and me at Murcie.
There was nothing of the sort; on the contrary, old mother Gavini told me that the Marechale Canrobert and other ladies had gone there and that it was perfectly proper.
Here is winter, the festivities will begin, there won't be too many, but there will be some. Saturday, I believe, a charity sale at the Ministry of War. I spend the evening weeping. What an existence! Listen! Not even to go to the Republicans, whom society treats as scoundrels, that is too much! And I scoff at society! Society is intelligence, talent, and power. Add to that a particular sort of woman and society is made.