Thursday, 27 January 1881

The black line that so obsessed me in my dream was drawn in that very place by the gentleman who came to put my picture into perspective for me.
Looking through my writings, I wonder how I can live buried like this after having been in Nice, in Italy, at the theatres, on the promenade, in the sun! And now, the tomb. The old maids of the atelier, and my library.
Art! And what would have become of me if I did not work? What would I do with my days? Where would I go? Twice a week at the Gavinis’ is quite enough. The baccarat-playing women at la Bailleul’s or the Moreaus’? Oh no, really!
One cannot go to the theatre every evening. Ah! the misery of it.