"'If I cease working,' he said to me, 'my trouble is unbearable.'
"His pain is an unfortunate marriage which has destroyed him day by day. On account of his children he has borne everything without a murmur. Yesterday I admired him: to-day I pity him."
"October 22nd: The lack of outdoor life has broken down Anne's health. We now go out together every afternoon. On our return, we have tea and she sings Grieg or Schumann for me, or songs new to me, of coming Russian musicians, Mouscorgsky or Rimsky Korsakof. Her musical memory makes it possible to leave the lamps unlighted until night has come on. In the twilight one is so happy. But in her dark drawing-room her powerful voice is cramped, as is her soul in life.
"Paris is kind to intimate sentiments. One feels oneself as lost and free as in a desert.
"Apropos of some character in history or a novel, we often speak of love. I concluded by asking her in the most serious manner this question which was tormenting me:
"'You have already loved?'
"'Oh, already,' she replied, laughing. 'At thirty, my friend?'
"'That is not an answer.'
"'Well, yes. Does that interest you?'
"'Very much. Many times?'