Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 28, 1869

Overview

Fidi's eight-hour sleep gives Cosima a rare good night, though Claire reports she will not receive her small capital. With Loulou in bed, Cosima writes Marie Muchanoff, while Richard rejoices in the house, seclusion, and even the expressive moaning of the fire. Fidi's improvement, Richard's play with him, and Don Quixote's instructions to Sancho bring evening gladness.

Content

Thursday, October 28:

A good night; Fidi slept for eight hours straight. Yesterday another letter from Claire, who tells me I shall not receive my bit of capital. Loulou in bed; I write to Marie Muchanoff, sitting beside her.

At lunch R. speaks of his pleasure in the house and our seclusion. “This is what I always wished for, and yet in wishing for it I always asked myself what I would get from it; I would be as alone here as anywhere else.” The moaning of the open fire delights him. “Everything is contained in this moaning: the sound of ships at sea, a popular uprising, the rolling of carriage wheels, everything.”

In the evening R. plays with Fidi for half an hour quite alone. Great gladness that he is getting better. In the evening more enjoyment with Don Quixote. Q.’s instructions to Sancho Panza wonderful.