It is impossible that God should have given me this gloria cupidatis, like S——, for nothing, without an object; my time will come. I am happy when I think as I do to-day. Oh, my voice!
We went to the opera house to get a box for this evening. They gave the "Barber," my favourite little opera. I aspire to something unheard of, fabulous; I want to be famous, I will sing. It is queer, the whole Italian company saluted me. We were in No. 2. I wore my Empire gown, in which I like myself best. Hair dressed like an Olympian goddess, falling lower than the belt, and curled naturally at the ends. The General, always charming, was with us.
"Come," I said, "do you know what I am going to do?"
"What are you going to do, Mademoiselle?"
"I am going to make a mirror."
"How?"
"Look."
I took the attitude of old A——, who sat opposite. He put his hand on the balustrade; I did the same. He leaned on his hand; I leaned on mine. He played with his chain; I played with my ribbon. He pulled his ear; I pulled mine.
The General laughed, Dina laughed, everybody laughed.
Every time he changed his position I imitated him like the most faithful mirror.