Note No. 18. Salon Full of Artists
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
15th July 1819
Magic! This day is nothing but pure magic!
I have spent a wonderful day around friendly
people. Who was not here! Writers, publicists from well known papers, poets,
actresses, philosophers, pianists! Long to mention all! Against all odds, I am
in mood to introduce everybody! Ah, where to begin?
That troublesome philosopher obviously came to
our house again. But this time he was not alone – his friend was with him,
German friend, the same profession. It was the first time when we saw his whole
behaviour in the company. We have seen him acting around women just like around
me previously. I was not special. That is why we know now that William’s fear
was unfounded. He can sleep calmly. Such an extremely outgoing kind of man apparently.
A little break in writing needed! My woman’s
intuition feels that my teddy bear dreams of kisses. I will be back in a
second!
*thirty minutes later*
All right! I am back! Where did I finish?
I have also met the second philosopher. He was telling
stories about a life after life, a soul, and other interesting spiritual news.
In general, they both were cherries on the top of the cake of society.
At the beginning everybody had to talk with one
another. Introduction all the way. Later men decided to play cards and women
went out to the garden not to choke because of cigar smoke. How good that I
remembered to buy new spittoons!
Afterwards, Catherine brought me two letters to
the park. The one time when I was talking with an actress, walking around trees.
One was from William’s brother, the second one from… Juliette! I immediately excused
my new friend and opened fast that last paper. Unbelievable that after all
these years she wrote to me. Especially when she betrayed me so awfully after
all we had been through. She wrote in the letter that she will never get peace if
I do not know the truth. She swore she is innocent; she has not done anything
bad to lose my friendship; she cannot understand why she was banished without mercy,
but she can wonder. Sweetheart, have you not been too worried that William
wanted to know about you as much as possible? We have known each other since finishing
school… Honestly, I have no idea what to think about it. I need time.
I took the letter from William’s brother to the addressee
just after reading mine. He stood up from the card table and he read me loud
the short message – he is coming! I am glad to hear it. They have not seen each
other since our wedding. Male company will do him good. I can spend more time
with Mary. All right!
William asked me about the letter which I still
had in my hand. It was not hard to see that I had a mess going in my head. I
was utterly confused.
- My pretty flower! Why are you so sad? Why are
you so worried about the past? It is why we call this unmaterial thing past.
You cannot do anything with it to change it. Just accept it, let go. Especially
when you did so much fuss. Just forget it. You will feel better. I told you, I
only wanted to have a consultation about your fountains. She knew so well what
you like, what kind of sculptures would amaze you. You really should answer her.
He kissed my cheek, gave the letter back and came
back to playing cards with new friends. I called our servant and I told her to bring
those letters to our cabinets.
Then I
went to the park again. I was found by my new friend right away. The actress came
with another companion. They both played in theatres in the capital city. Mozart’s
operas. I saw one of spectacles where one of them played a main role. My
brother’s theatre obviously. The way she performed libretto was stunning, pardieu
(by God). I asked the actress for the performance in our arbour tonight. The
pianist had already arrived, was playing a little different paper keyboards
with William and other gentlemen, and his instrument was waiting to start a
show. Strong mountaineers had helped in preparations, who were happy to help knowing
to be paid well later obviously. She agreed and all we could do was waiting until
the evening and sunset. Such moods of nature are required when it comes to
music.
Genuinely nice two souls. I mean actresses. I think
we will meet more often now. I had good conversations, we have a lot in common
and – what is the most important – even our children were having fun together.
I saw Mary running around roses with new friends. Even a bachelor was stuck
around!
Sky started becoming pink, so it was the right
time for evening recitals and chants. One by one both of opera-singers showed their
possibilities, Mozart obviously, one song from two different works and pianist
did his best solo at the end. These performances were very vivid, stormy,
sometimes tearful, and convincing heart to beat faster. I am glad that we
brought so many such talented artists to our gazebo. Sitting next to me
William, looked at me few times with that stare full of love and pride, he held
my hand smiling. No words can express emotions like music sometimes.
Just after finished concert, everybody headed
home, because it started getting dark and cold outside. Our living room is
quite spacious when part of the furniture is moved so the pianist with our
little giraffe piano sat down in the corner and was waiting to make the evening
pleasant. The music was playing softly, and people continued talking to each
other, sipping wine and eating their snacks. Of course, I was not alone. At first,
I talked to a young poet, a beautiful and nice woman, and then I went to put
little Mary to sleep. I told her one of her favourite stories, and as soon as
she fell asleep, I went back to the living room. Some mothers like me had to
leave earlier, but there were still plenty of people. Delighting the sight of smiley
new faces took me a minute and then my beloved husband found me and took me dancing.
It was not well to do such things, being the only dancers in the room, but my
little angel was already a bit stimulated thanks to alcohol, and he loves me so
much, so it just has to be forgiven, such silly jokes. Anyways, I had a lot of fun,
so it is okay. We were in our own home and, surprisingly, no one could punish
us for such a behaviour.
In the end, the idyll had to end, and it was time
for one of the last long-awaited attractions of the evening – the recitation of
poems and verbal battles of young poets. At first, three elderly men recited
their poems vividly, and finally two gentlemen had a fierce fight. The man who
is more popular, surprisingly, had to step aside from the one who proudly
challenged him earlier, daring to call him a prophet with equal talent. It was
indeed a remarkably interesting phenomenon. Absolutely yes, the Great
Improvisation of the year.
The last thing before everyone had to go back to
their homes – a public thing – res publica – I announced the
construction of bathhouse in the area! One for the poor, one for us! Or one
building with two doorways... However, I have building plans in my hand now. It
will be a beautiful Gothic House. I cannot wait to see it in reality! An
engineering miracle like the Royal Bathrooms.
One of the writers was extremely moved hearing my
idea. He immediately came up to me with tears in his eyes and kissed my gloves.
As soon as everyone left, I had to give them to Catherine to wash…
As you can see, my lovely diary, it was a
successful day and meeting. At the end William congratulated me tenderly and
went tired to his rooms, poor man. I just went out to look at the stars,
meditate and now I am sharing my memories with you. It is time to go because we
do not want to see the sunrise, do we?
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Comments
Post a Comment