Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Friday, 23 January 1880

Tony's mother is very ill; it has been three weeks since we have had any critiques. Breslau is doing a portrait of Mgr. Viard for the Salon.
As for me, I torment myself. That dear little pest Berthe came to spend an hour with us.
And I torment myself.
Thirty-six thousand things at once! Taine's Ancien Regime, then the politics of the Nouvelle Revue, then classical compositions, then one on Nana, then a novel to write or a play. And all at the same time; I have time to do nothing, being occupied until around five o'clock in the evening.
The evening before last I wrote to three people to obtain tickets, and it is Krishaber who sends me some. He is related to the Prefect of Police Andrieux, and has a very fine mansion of his own and connections.
Gambetta was not presiding; we arrive late (Thursday) and the session adjourns at twenty minutes past three. I only went, besides, because Gavini had no tickets. She had told me the session would be worthless, but I did not believe her; besides, it is old Adeline's habit, she finds the Chamber tedious.