Tuesday, 1 January 1884

Calls: to the Gavinis, with whom we go to leave cards — then, having scattered them along the route, to the Canroberts. I think Mother Gavini is a little jealous of this friendship, for the Maréchale is rather cool with her and they content themselves with exchanging cards. There we find Fleury and the two Bochers, who transport me straight into the reign of Louis-Philippe¹ — Balzac, where are you? The senator chatted with Maman and the Maréchale; the brother with Claire and me. He is an adorable old man, but it is the other who is the real one — the Jules.

Then, dinner at the Karageorgevitches’ — only ourselves and the Marinovitches.

I also worked during the day — so that it may be thus throughout the year.

We did the cards at the Karageorgevitches’, and the cards say that all will go well.

Here is a charming letter from young Canrobert, to whom I sent an old Caucasian dagger that Maman brought back from her last journey expressly for this purpose.