Platkarcha

Overview

A woman, or a nickname for one, who speaks to Marie in Russian at the Grand Prix de Paris on 14 June 1874. The word is printed in Russian in the manuscript (the edition's footnote: «Written in Russian in the manuscript; French translation by the editor») and marked in the text as a Russian word. The Mon Journal t.3 index lists it without gloss: «Platkarcha, 233».

Relevance to Marie

At the races Marie and her mother wonder whether the Duke of Hamilton is present (see DUKE_OF_HAMILTON); she says he is not. Another voice replies: «Non il est ici, Platkarcha me l'a dit, pendant les dix minutes qu'elle resta près de ma voiture, elle a tant tant dit, et ça et si, etc.» (020.0252). So Platkarcha is a talkative woman, probably a Russian acquaintance, who stood by the carriage and told them the duke had come.

Identity uncertain

We do not know who she is. The name is unexplained in the index and in Marie's other pages for June 1874; it may be a nickname made from a Russian word, but we have not found its meaning. If you can identify her or the word, we would be glad to hear from you.

References in Diary

• 1874-06-14 (020.0252)

Sources

Diary 020.0252 and its footnote; Mon Journal t.3 index.