Diary of Marie Bashkirtseff
CZENUKFR

Friday, 9 June 1882

It seemed to me I was cold with Gabriel yesterday, especially after having lodged at his father's... So I summon him this evening and we go to the Musée Grévin — it was merely a pretext for flirting.
[In the margin: I summon him by a note written on a scrap of paper tied with thread and a rubber ring.]
And afterwards to Tortoni's.
The Engelhardts and Mlle Cerny came with us as far as Grévin's. Besides, we had left the house at ten. And then? Nothing... One was a little stifled at Grévin's in the crime cellar, and I had Gabriel's arm behind me, almost around me... He must have thought about it... Men think of such things — even while dancing.
It seems that when I went to the ball without a corset they all noticed.
Well, then — I was saying that, but that is all.
Maman is delighted that I flirt with this young man — she would be thrilled if I married him...
It is dreadful. I tease him a great deal this evening and without much wit... Only I keep thinking... to what purpose? It hardly amuses me.

Notes

The Musée Grévin, Paris's celebrated wax museum, had opened in 1882. ↩
Tortoni's, the celebrated café on the Boulevard des Italiens, famous for its ices. ↩
The Musée Grévin's souterrain du crime, a dramatic lower-level exhibit recreating famous crimes. ↩