9–15 February 1857

Got up at eight, wrote a sheet, lunched, got into touch a little with my neignbours. Orl6v for some reason called on me. “ Not it,” as Annenkov says. A teacher of English — I shall get on. Turgenev called and ran away. Went for a walk and to the gymnasium. Napoleon in a red jacket with a drum. Dined. Fitz James is not bad. The lady musician is bad. Theatre, Marivaux’s Les Fausses Confidences is delightfully elegant. P16cy. Le Malade tmaginaire , delight- fully acted.

Got up late, noise still in my ears, cold in the rooms. Wrote however three letters, though short ones, and then went for a stroll. Turgenev and Nekrisov have gone to a shooting gallery, I don’t know why. It even made me feel sad. I detached myself from them, wandered about alone but was not dull and I found a lodging, 206 Rue de Rivoli. Dined with them, but am still sad. Saw Nekrasov home. Turgenev is a child. Then Orl6v drove me to the theatre : he plays the aristocrat. Absurd ! Why did I go up to Berg ? Very horrid. Came home tired and empty.

Rose late, rummaged at home for a long time tidying up; went to the Bank and drew 800 francs; made some purchases, and moved. Called on the Lvovs. She is nice and a Russian. Read Napoleon’s speech with indescribable abhorrence. At home made a start on The Journey , and dined. A lively lady — I was struck dumb with confusion. Theatre, Prdcieuses ridicules and L' Avare — excellent. Vers de Virgile, intolerable abomination

Got up at ten. All morning (till two o’clock) Italian lesson. Wrote one page, walked to Turgenev’s and to Pletnev. Dined at the Trubetskoys’. . . . Evening at Lvovs. She is very nice.