21–27 July 1856

Was at the Arsenevs’. Lazarevich and K. were there. • I was very merry.

They were at the Gfmbuts* where I was too. Was bored. Have done nothing.

Masha’s name-day. Serezha was here also. Talked about Valerya. Serezha has poured much cold water over me.

Serezha has gone. Sat at home.* Did nothing. Had a little music.

Got up at twelve. Read Dead Souls with pleasure. Many thoughts of my own. Wrote nothing. The weather is fine. By means of a dispute at dinner I managed to rouse Masha and then had a pleasant talk with her. After dinner went with Natalya Petrdvna to see Valerya. For the first time found her without gowns, as Serezha calls it. She was ten times nicer, and above all more natural. Has put her hair behind her ears, having understood that I like it so. Was angry with me. She seems to have an actively loving nature. b Spent the evening happily.

Again woke at twelve. Decided to have a thrashing-machine made. Read Gogol. Played. At dinner disputed with Masha about meanness. Then went for a ride. . . . Heard the splendid comedy Les Femmes Savantes read, and have now written up for the last five days. ,

Got up late. Idled with the aid of the piano. Wrote a little of Youth with great pleasure. Certainly with my habit of reconsidering things I must get into the way of writing at once. At dinner I disputed irritably with Masha. My Aunts took her side. She says that Turgenev remarked that one can’t dispute with me. Have I really an evil nature ? Must control myself, and the cause of it all is pride — Valerya spoke the truth. After dinner rode out and went to the bath-house. Did nothing.