Saetone (Andriot)

Overview

Andriot Saetone is a Niçois man who acts as intermediary and go-between in Marie's social circle, particularly in matters involving Audiffret. Marie gives him multiple code names: "Mercure" (Mercury, messenger of the gods), "Enoteas" (anagram/wordplay on Saetone), and "Satan-Saetone" (combining his name with the devil). She also calls him "le Grand Mercure" (the chief messenger).

Identity

• Niçois social figure
• «Oncle» is Marie's nickname for him, not a family tie: on 12 June 1875 she writes «Saëtone regarde comme un oncle regarderait ses neveux. Girofla, depuis que je lui ai dit que j'appelle Saëtone Enoteas et son oncle, parle de lui comme de son oncle, ce qui me fait beaucoup rire» (034.0182). Audiffret plays along, and Marie keeps the joke going: «d'Audiffret amène et présente son oncle Saëtone» (034.0290), «mon oncle Saëtone» (034.0415, 035.0027, 035.0227), «L'oncle Saëtone, ce gros père» (037.0105), «mon oncle Saëtone et le second mon... cousin d'Audiffret» (043.0223). The Mon Journal t.5 index lists «[Oncle]» among his nicknames: «Saëtone (Andriot Alphonse), [Enoteas] [Oncle] [Mercure]». Audiffret's real uncle is the draper of «Audiffret frères» (044.0018, «on dit que c'est son oncle»; t.5 index «Audiffret frères (oncle)»).
• Full name in the indexes: «Saëtone (Andriot Alphonse)» (t.4, t.5, t.6); Marie writes «Andriot Saëtone» (046.0358).
• Described as handsome: "le bel Andriot" (046.0379)
• Associated with de Cessole in Audiffret's social group

Role in Marie's Circle (1875)

Saetone occupies a specific and problematic role:

• Entremetteur: Nina Sapogenikoff identifies him as a meddler who deliberately stirs romantic intrigue among the young women
• Audiffret's agent: He carries messages, reports on sentiments, and tries to arrange connections between Audiffret and various girls (Marie, Olga)
• Provocateur: He told Olga that Audiffret was "éperdument amoureux d'elle" and mentioned her constantly in his letters — Nina sees this as deliberately "troubling" her daughter
• Confidant: Saetone positioned himself as confidant to everyone, which Marie mocks: "lorsqu'on est réduit à ce rôle, c'est le dernier mal d'un monsieur"
• The insult incident: Marie inadvertently snubbed Saetone by turning away when he offered his arm, causing a minor social crisis that runs through several entries

Diary References

Carnet 045 (Sept-Oct 1875)

• Marie offends him by not accepting his arm at the Hernani outing
• Referred to as "Mercure" and "Grand Mercure"

Carnet 046 (Oct 1875)

• Oct 3: Full exposure of his meddling role at Nina's soirée; compared to Mephistopheles
• Oct 4: Called "Satan-Saëtone"; his manipulation of Olga discussed
• Oct 5: Marie includes him in her caricature drawings of the Niçois circle
• Oct 7: Encountered at theater, Marie says "bonsoir" in her characteristically assured voice
• Oct 12: Formal reconciliation when Marie's mother arrives; Saetone approaches to "explain" himself

«Enoteas»

«Enoteas» is «Saëtone» spelled backwards: «j'appelle Saëtone Enoteas» (034.0182), one of the reversed code names with «Terffidua» for Audiffret (027.0274). The Mon Journal t.5 index gives «Saëtone (Andriot Alphonse), [Enoteas] [Oncle] [Mercure]». The paragraph of the merged entry ENOTEAS: «A la sortie je ne vois que Désiré et Enoteas» (050.0371, 1 December 1875).