Mlle Collignon

Research Status: Comprehensive Last Updated: 2026-05-25 Diary Coverage: Carnet 001 (Jan 1873) through carnet 103 (Feb 1884) — ~215 diary files Type: Person — Governess, later family friend

Overview

Mademoiselle Collignon is one of the most enduring figures in Marie's life, present across virtually the entire diary from the first carnet to the last. She enters as Marie's French governess and English teacher in Nice (hired before the diary begins, from at least January 12, 1872), is dramatically dismissed in May 1873 after escalating conflicts, yet returns as a close family friend and confidante who remains in Marie's orbit for the rest of her life. She dies of tuberculosis in late October 1881, approximately eight years after Dr Walitsky first diagnosed her terminal condition.

Physical Description

Marie paints Collignon's portrait in May-June 1876 (twelve sittings), and the sittings provide a detailed physical description (): "Collignon a une figure pale-rosee, large, gros nez, grands yeux gris-vert-blanc, des paupieres rouges, peu de sourcils. Pas de traits, et surtout un teint tout uni, generalement rose, une vilaine peau avec d'immenses pores. Toutes ces laideurs lui composent cependant une figure tres agreable, mais insaisissable aussi, car tout le charme en est dans le sourire et la conversation." Her most striking feature was her extraordinary hair: "elle a des cheveux fabuleux, longs et epais comme une foret. Ils sont de toutes les couleurs, il y a des meches noires et des meches tres blondes" — hence Marie's epithet "la belle aux longs cheveux" ().

Background and Social Position

Collignon came from a modest Parisian family. Her parents ran "une espece d'hotel meuble dans un passage Marbeuf" and her father "portait des sabots et balayait la cour" (). Despite these humble origins, Collignon had risen socially through her career as a governess: she had previously served as "demoiselle de compagnie aupres de la fille du vice-roi d'Egypte" (), which explains her polish, worldliness, and knowledge of Egypt and Cairo. Marie observed the painful contrast: "Collignon qui... est si elegante, si distinguee, si bien elevee !" yet lives in poverty (). She had accumulated savings from fourteen years of work (: "elle depense son dernier argent amasse pendant quatorze ans de travail"). She had a brother who visited her in Paris ().

Her father died in May 1879 (: "Le pere de Collignon est mort ce matin"). After leaving the Bashkirtseff household, Collignon lived in Cannes during the winter seasons and in Paris, often lodging at various addresses including Villa Fortunee in the Carabacel district of Nice ().

Role in the Household (1872-1873)

Collignon was hired as Marie's governess before the diary begins. Marie records the precise date her English lessons started: "commencees le 12 janvier 1872 a Nice, avec Mlle Collignon" (). Despite being French, Collignon was tasked with teaching English — a duty Marie increasingly felt she neglected. As governess, Collignon served multiple functions:

• Educator: Teaching English, geography, history, arithmetic. Marie studied German history with her and read aloud during lessons (, ).
• Chaperone: Accompanying Marie on all promenades, visits, shopping, theater outings, and sea bathing. Marie could not go out without her.
• Disciplinarian: Scolding Marie for blushing at men (: "Ne faites pas cela, Marie, cela m'enerve tant"), for attracting attention (: "m'a grondee parce qu'on me regardait trop"), and for speaking indiscreetly.
• Confidante (limited): Despite tensions, Marie confided some feelings — hiding her face in Collignon's chest after seeing the Duke (, : "je me jetais dans les bras de Collignon, je cachais ma figure sur sa poitrine").

Dismissal (May 31, 1873)

Tensions had been building for months. Marie complained bitterly about Collignon's chronic lateness, missed lessons, and failure to speak English conversationally (: "elle ne parle jamais anglais... elle donne des lecons comme un professeur et ne cause jamais"). In March 1873, Collignon wrote a letter to Marie's aunt complaining of Marie's "caractere impertinent et vain" and threatened to leave ().

The final break came on May 31, 1873, during an arithmetic lesson (): Marie asked for an explanation, Collignon told her to figure it out herself, and the quarrel escalated. Collignon declared "C'est la derniere lecon que je vous donne!" to which Marie replied "Oh! tant mieux!" (). Marie maintained supernatural calm while Collignon raged; Markevitch embraced Marie in celebration. Maman then confronted Collignon about her neglected duties: "elle soutint a maman qu'elle remplissait son devoir, qu'elle était constamment avec nous, qu'elle parlait anglais" — which Marie found outrageously dishonest ().

Collignon departed on June 8, 1873 (: "A deux heures nous allames reconduire Mlle Collignon"). Marie was surprisingly unaffected: "Je m'etonne du peu que son depart m'a coute." But she admitted a nagging guilt: "même un chien avec lequel on a vécu un mois fait de la peine en partant" ().

The Scandal with Grand-papa

Marie hints darkly at a "malheureuse affaire avec grand-papa" involving Collignon (). After Collignon's departure, she suspected the governess "avait des plans sur lui et lui la croyait de bonne foi et le pauvre vieillard s'est laisse un peu entortiller" (). Grand-papa was furious about her departure and quarreled with everyone for days (, ). Papa was also "bouleverse" when Collignon visited in October 1874, "ses anciens sentiments reviennent" (). Marie confirmed this openly in 1875: "les desagrements avec Collignon et son depart eurent lieu a cause de grand-papa. Ce grand imbecile avait envie d'elle" (), and when she teased Collignon about it, the older woman "a rougi jusqu'aux oreilles" (: Apr 29, 1875). Papa's jealousy of Collignon and Barnola persisted for years (: "papa me mit sur des charbons brulants en disant des obscenites comme toujours sur Collignon et Barnola dont le vieux fou est jaloux").

Return as Family Friend (1874 onward)

Despite the dramatic dismissal, Collignon quickly reappeared. In January 1874, Walitsky reported she had "arrived and married" (), but this seems to have been a rumor — she continued to be addressed as "Mademoiselle" throughout the diary. By March 1874 she was visiting the family again (). In October 1874 she came from Cannes for a brief visit, staying overnight (); Marie found her "tres agreable, spirituelle, sympathique" and wished she could rehire her "si ce n'etait cette malheureuse affaire avec grand-papa."

From April 1875, Collignon effectively rejoined the household for extended stays: "Collignon va venir pour un mois chez nous, je suis contente, c'est une personne tres agreable, extremement utile, indispensable meme" (). Marie noted: "Il semble que Collignon n'etait jamais absente" (). Throughout 1875-1877, Collignon was a near-constant presence — accompanying Marie to the Anglican church (), attending concerts, sharing adventures, observing suitors, and serving as companion, co-conspirator, and sounding board.

Anglophilia and Cultural Interests

Collignon adored England and the English. Marie noted: "Je comprends que Mlle Collignon adore les Anglais et l'Angleterre, et qu'elle etait presque impertinente... avec les anes qui en parlent mal" (). She took Marie and Dina to Anglican services (). She had traveled in Egypt with the vice-regal household and remembered the Duke of Hamilton in Cairo "avec des aniers en petites voitures disant des betises" (). She was well-read, engaged in philosophical and religious debates with Marie and Bihovetz (), and Marie described her as "une femme serieuse" () and "la femme la plus romanesque et la plus sentimentale du monde" ().

Romantic Disappointment

Collignon had been promised marriage by a man who went to India to seek his fortune, "always promising to marry her when he shall be rich enough" (). He eventually married someone else, and on May 1, 1873, Collignon spotted him driving in Nice with another woman, causing a public scene (). Marie called him "son Indien" (her Indian) (: May 5, 1873). The humiliation deeply affected Collignon: "elle est brisee, elle ne se fache plus" (), and Marie pitied her being "regardee par tous comme une offensee, humiliee" ().

Collignon as Adviser on Men and Marriage

Despite (or because of) her own romantic disappointment, Collignon served as Marie's chief adviser on suitors:

• Duke of Hamilton: Called him "un gros boucher" who socializes with workers (), yet teased Marie about "les montagnes de l'Ecosse" ().
• Lambertye: Dismissed him as "ce petit vilain" ().
• Audiffret: Noticed his interest in Marie and reported it to the aunt ().
• Girofla: Called him "le beau zero" ().
• Pietro Antonelli: Worried Collignon warned Marie he was "un Lovelace" (), but also said "S'il ne vous aimait pas, il ne vous ecrirait pas des lettres comme ca" ().
• Soutzo: Openly called him "bete et mechant" and "un ane bate" and said she would weep if Marie married him (: June 1880).
• General maxim: "Quand une femme veut un homme, elle l'a toujours" (: April 15, 1873).

Portrait by Marie (1876)

In May-June 1876, Marie painted Collignon's portrait in twelve sittings on a "fond de draperie de satin bleu ciel" (: May 23, 1876). The Daniloff praised it, noting "Collignon a une figure extremement difficile a faire" and that Marie "s'est tiree d'affaire tres honorablement et magnifiquement" (). The ninth session focused on the challenging multicolored hair: "toutes les meches dorees etaient dessus de sorte que la teinte generale est splendide, chaude, doree" (: June 12, 1876). Marie later listed "le portrait de Collignon" among her works (: Dec 1877).

Collignon's Insight into Marie

Collignon made several penetrating observations about Marie:

• On her appearance: "si elle ne me connaissait pas, elle dirait de moi — Voila une belle fille, car vous etes grande et bien faite" ().
• On her handwriting: "il semble que vous n'osez pas faire vos lettres elancees, elles paraissent retenues, comme si quelque chose pesait sur elles, un effort et puis un aplatissement... C'est toute ma vie" — Marie agreed this described her entire existence (: Dec 1880).
• On Marie's character: "Marie a beaucoup change" — said with confidence in her own influence (: May 1876).

Illness and Death (1873-1881)

Collignon's tuberculosis was diagnosed remarkably early. On March 3, 1873, Dr Walitsky told the family: "Mlle Collignon est malade comme Koukoueff qui vient de mourir, qu'elle peut vivre cinq ans, et qu'elle peut mourir en trois semaines" (). Despite this devastating prognosis, Collignon lived another eight years, spending summers at Allevard (a thermal spa in the Alps) and winters in the Midi ().

On July 27, 1881, Marie visited the dying Collignon and was horrified: "elle va mourir bientot, en voila une qui est changee. Rosalie m'avait prevenue mais j'en suis restee saisie... La Mort elle-meme. Et puis, dans la chambre une odeur de bouillon tres fort que l'on donne aux malades... C'est horrible" (). Marie brought gifts — silk for a dress and a shawl she herself coveted — then caught herself calculating heavenly reward: "je me suis decidee a cet immense sacrifice pour la mauvaise pensee que cela me sera rembourse par le ciel. Ces calculs enlevent tout merite" ().

She visited again in August 1881 but admitted avoiding further visits: "j'aurais pu y aller plus souvent mais je cede au desir de ne pas y aller... je ne fais plus d'efforts pour surmonter cet egoisme parce que je n'espere plus de recompense" (: Aug 23, 1881).

Collignon died in late October 1881. Marie records it laconically on November 15: "La pauvre Collignon est morte depuis plus de vingt jours deja" ().

Posthumous References

Even after Collignon's death, Marie continued to invoke her memory:

• August 1883: Contemplating her own mortality, Marie imagines dying "vers quarante ans comme Mlle Collignon" ().
• October 1883: Drawing the explicit parallel to her own tuberculosis: "cette pauvre Collignon, je l'ai connue a vingt-deux ans, elle toussait un peu, Walitsky nous dit des lors qu'elle ne vivrait pas, seulement elle n'est pas tres soignee... et cela a dure huit ans" ().
• February 1884: The last mention, reminiscing about childhood: "Etant enfant et amoureuse du duc de Hamilton je rougissais affreusement au mot Duc et ca arrivait souvent pendant mes lectures historiques a haute voix devant Mlle Collignon" ().

Significance

Collignon occupies a unique position in the diary. She is the only person who serves Marie successively as governess, antagonist, friend, confidante, artistic subject, marriage adviser, philosophical interlocutor, and finally as a mirror of Marie's own mortality. The arc from "cette canaille Collignon" () to "cette pauvre Collignon" () traces Marie's own maturation. The fact that Marie's last diary reference to Collignon, written months before her own death from the same disease, returns to the image of a thirteen-year-old girl blushing during geography lessons, creates one of the diary's most poignant symmetries.

Related Entries

• #Walitsky — Family doctor who diagnosed Collignon's tuberculosis in 1873
• #English — Marie's English education, in which Collignon was the first teacher
• #Death — Collignon's death listed among deaths of acquaintances
• #Anglican_Church — Collignon took Marie to Anglican services
• #Grand_Hotel — Where Collignon's former lover was staying
• #Rickard — English acquaintance with whom Marie walked while Collignon chaperoned
• #Papa — Had "former feelings" for Collignon
• #Grand_papa — The "malheureuse affaire" with Collignon

Key Paragraph References

• (Jan 19, 1873): First appearance — scolds Marie for blushing at the Duke
• (Feb 12, 1873): English lessons began Jan 12, 1872 with Collignon
• (Mar 3, 1873): Walitsky diagnoses her terminal illness
• (Mar 24, 1873): Writes complaint letter about Marie's character
• (May 1, 1873): Spots her faithless "Indien" with another woman
• (Apr 15, 1873): "Quand une femme veut un homme, elle l'a toujours"
• (Apr 17, 1873): Calls Hamilton "un gros boucher"
• (May 31, 1873): Final quarrel and dismissal
• (Jun 8, 1873): Departs the household
• (Jun 8, 1873): Marie suspects Collignon's "plans" on grand-papa
• (Oct 24, 1874): Returns from Cannes — "la belle aux longs cheveux"
• (Apr 10, 1875): Returns for a month's stay — "indispensable meme"
• (Apr 29, 1875): Marie confirms grand-papa scandal
• (Sep 24, 1875): Remembered: Marie threw herself into Collignon's arms
• (May 23, 1876): Marie begins painting her portrait
• (Jun 7, 1876): Detailed physical description during portrait sessions
• (Jun 12, 1876): Finishing the portrait — ninth session, the hair
• (Dec 19, 1876): Marie discusses Rome plans with Collignon
• (Sep 25, 1878): Letter from "cette pauvre Collignon" — Marie promises to take her in
• (May 16, 1879): Collignon's father dies
• (May 18, 1879): Marie visits Collignon's family — shocked by their poverty
• (Jun 12, 1880): Calls Soutzo "un ane bate" — advises Marie against marrying him
• (Dec 27, 1880): Handwriting insight — "un effort et puis un aplatissement"
• (Jul 27, 1881): Marie visits dying Collignon — "la Mort elle-meme"
• (Nov 15, 1881): "La pauvre Collignon est morte depuis plus de vingt jours deja"
• (Aug 21, 1883): Marie expects to die "vers quarante ans comme Mlle Collignon"
• (Oct 17, 1883): Explicit parallel — Walitsky's diagnosis, eight-year survival
• (Feb 25, 1884): Last mention — childhood blushing during lessons