I must tell you that ever since Baden I have thought of nothing
except the Duc de H----. In the afternoon I studied. I did not go
out except for half an hour on the terrace. I am very unhappy
to-day. I am in a terrible state of mind; if this keeps on, I don't
know what will become of me.

How fortunate people who have no secrets are!

Oh, God, in mercy save me!

The face makes very little difference! People can't love just on
account of the face. Of course it does a great deal, but when there
is nothing else--. They have been talking about B----. He has
exactly my disposition. I am fond of society; he likes to flirt; he
likes to see and to be seen; in short, he is pleased with the same
things that please me. They say he is a gambler. Oh! dear! What evil
genius has changed him!

Perhaps he is in love--hopelessly?

Happy love ought to make us better, but hopeless love! Oh, I believe
it must be that!

No, no, he is simply dragged down like so many young men by that
terrible gulf. Oh, what an accursed place! How many wretched beings
it has made! Oh, fly from it! Take your sons, your husbands, your
brothers away from there, or they are lost. B---- is beginning. The
Duc de H---- has begun, too, and he will go on, while he might live