Tuesday, 24 April 1883

The architect comes to bring me his brother's card for the Exhibition of Portraits at the École des Beaux-Arts. He is still thoroughly sad, this poor young man. I think something is happening between his brother and Stéphanie, because he says his brother
…must travel; spend two months in a milieu entirely different from Paris. And that he has been ill in the country, that he is the most sensitive creature in the world, that he received letters that made him ill — and that he must travel. It would be high time to get rid of the vile Mona Lisa with the dyed hair.
As for me, I am maddened by not hearing. I need stratagems, skill, a frightful strain on the nerves just to manage — and I do not always manage. It is enough to drive one mad.
My family dine at Mme de Lambertye's. I send for Alice so as not to be alone, and to talk about Jules. Towards nine o'clock the Princess arrives with Bojidar and Alexis, and Bojidar, Alice and I talk of Jules. Jules is to be our only love.
We shall love only him — he is to be our God. We are young and enthusiastic and it is like at school: one worships someone.
We adore Jules. His name is on our lips at every moment. It is quite charming.