28 September–4 October 1857

Idle at Pirogovo. Mile. Vergani has come. I am beginning to disgust her and she seems to have given me up as a bad job.

Went early to Mayer’s. On horseback as far as Sergievski. Found nothing : dull. To Chern.

Went to Mokhovoe. Met people from the fair* Mayer is dreadfully, proudly, calm, but at the same time not quite straight with himself.

Mayer is cruel, but not by his own fault, he is embittered? He is a poet, and read David’s Psalms vftth tears. A clear, roomy head. I left ; spent the night at4h£ Voinski Dvor^.

At four left Sergievski across the fields. Found the young • Princesses Gorchakdv at Pirogovo. Helen is a fine girl. Am dreadfully tired.

Slept till ten. Vergani is venomous. Mishenka is obstinate : one can’t pull together with her. Went to Yasnaya. A horse has been stolen. Fedor and Sasha were drunk. I turned them away.