Tuesday, 22 July 1884

Bojidar and Maman went to see Jules, who is ill again. After the two days in the country and the Algerian luncheon. Serves him right.
But he showed me a delicate kindness. Naturally, he and Bojidar were talking about me, and Bojidar told him he found me tired and that I ought to go to the country.
— I wanted to tell her so too, said Jules, but I held back lest she think it a conspiracy — everyone advises her to go to the country and it is tiresome.
If not the letter, at least the spirit. Besides, it does not surprise me — how could an artist of such genius not possess every refinement.
This evening we have the Orthodox priest, his daughter, Ducros and Bojidar. We demolish Meissonier in favour of the one, the true, the incomparable Bastien.