Mlle Alexandrine (Dolmatoff)

Overview

The young companion («demoiselle de compagnie») of Mme Doubelt, the general's wife of St Petersburg whom the Bashkirtseffs meet in Naples in autumn 1877 and again in Paris. Marie calls her «la demoiselle de la Générale, Mlle Alexandrine» (075/1877-10-28, 075.0470). Surname uncertain: the Mon Journal t.11 index has «Doubelt (Mlle Alexandrine)» (pp.32, 38-39, 44) and, separately, «Dolmatoff (Alexandrine Mlle)» (p.31), the latter matching the box-party line «Mme Doubelt, Melle Dolmatoff (parente et demoiselle de compagnie)» (075/1877-10-20, 075.0362, tagged DOLMATOFF); the t.12 index reads «Alexandrine (Mlle), dame de compagnie de Mme Doubelt» (p.27). The index itself gives Mlle Dolmatoff the forename Alexandrine, the page numbers are consecutive and the role is the same: she is Mlle Alexandrine Dolmatoff, a relative of Mme Doubelt and her companion (called «Doubelt» in one index entry by association). DOLMATOFF is to be merged into this entry (decision of 2026-10-22).

Marie's view is hostile: the Doubelt companion is «drôle, étrange, inconvenante … désagréables connaissances et compromettantes» (076/1877-11-27, 076.0273; tag her there too). On 29 October she «s'empare de Marcuard et lui impose le piquet» on the general's order (075.0485). On 3 March 1878 Marcuard writes from Florence: «Comment pouvez-vous penser à Mlle Alexandrine pour moi. Je la trouve très aimable mais je ne lui ai point fait la cour» (078.0382; he blames des Perrières' gossip). On 2 July 1878, in Paris, «l'Alexandrine de Mme Doubelt vient, elle est ici pour payer les dettes» and Marie loads her with messages (081.0221, 081.0228).

Not to be confused with the children Alexandrine: see ALEXANDRINE and ALEXANDRINE_FILLEULE.

References in Diary

075/1877-10-20 (075.0362, as "Melle Dolmatoff"; tag currently DOLMATOFF); 075/1877-10-28 (075.0470); 075/1877-10-29 (075.0485); 076/1877-11-27 (076.0273, untagged); 078/1878-03-03 (078.0382, letter of Marcuard); 081/1878-07-02 (081.0221, 081.0228; currently tagged ALEXANDRINE).