3–9 November 1856

In the morning a letter from Auntie. Skated with the children at Masha’s. Dined at Botkin’s. Grigoryev ayd Ostrovski. I tried to shock their convic- tions. Why ? I don’t know. The evening at Masha’s and Volkonski’s, very pleasant.

Finished reading The Pickwick Papers. Very good ! Wrote this Diary. Tishk^vich came and interrupted me. Went out with him. Kostinka made me feel depressed about Valerya. I think less about her but feel an inexpressible dejection wherever I am. Dined at Masha’s, had tea at the Volkonskis’. In the evening to the Club, but left without seeing Longfnov.

Wrote a little in the morning, again dined at Masha’s. At the theatre, The Mischief of Being Clever, splendid. Saw the Sukhotins : felt uncomfortable with them, especially with old Diakova. Was too free and easy with the Volkdnskis and Kislfnskaya, which seems to have piqued them. Saw Shcherbacheva and her suite.

Travelled with Tishk^vich and Volkonski. Read Little Dorrit on the way. Slept splendidly.

Arrived. Called on Konstantinov, he is a good sort. The Grand Duke knows about the song. Went to have an explanation with Ekfmakh — boldly. Gymnastics. Dined at home alone. In the evening Druzhfnin and Annenkov. It is rather irksome with the former. %

In the morning wrote an irritable letter to Valdrya. Did not send the first but sent another. Called on Druzhfnin and Panaev. The editorial staff of the Contemporary is disgusting. Gymnastics. Dined with Goncharov and Druzhfnin at Kies’s, and we spent the evening at my house and at Kovalevskaya’s. Went to Kra^vski, and I am very glad of it.

In the morning Tishkdvich and Makarov interrupted me. Gymnastics. Dined at the Chess Club. They did not wish to let me in. Always senselessness. The Polovtsovs. At home dictated a good*deal of The Degraded Officer. Books selling badly. ... In the morning Shapulfnski came and reassured me. To-morrow see Konstantinov about my pay. Arsenev’s book to the Law Council. To the Staff H.Q. Wrote to Serezha, Masha, and the steward.