ll, my good Richard may have remained absolutely true to me,
thanks to his mania for having all things in order.

I am almost sorry that I never caught him in some disgraceful
infidelity. Discovery, confession, scenes, sighs, and tears! Who knows
but what it might have been a very good thing for us? The certainty of
his unceasing attentions to me was rather tame; and he did not gain much
by it in the long run, poor man.

The only time I ever remember to have felt jealous it was not a
pleasant sensation, although I am sure there were no real grounds for
it. It was brought about by his suggestion that we should invite Edith
to go to Monaco with us. Richard went as white as a sheet when I asked
him whether my society no longer sufficed for him....

I cannot understand how any grown-up man can take a girl of seventeen
seriously. They irritate me beyond measure.

* * * * *

Malthe has come back from Vienna, they tell me. I did not know he had
been to Vienna. I thought all this time he had been at Copenhagen.

It is strange how this news has upset me. What does it matter where he
lives?

If he were ten years younger, or I ten years older, I might have adopted
him. It would not be the first time that a middle-aged woman has
replaced her lap-dog in that way. Then I should have found him a
suitable wife! I should have surrounded myself by a swarm of pretty
girls and chosen the pick of the bunch for him. What a fascinating
prospect!

* * * * *

I have never made a fool of myself, and I am not likely to begin now.

* * * * *

I begin to meet people in the forest--_my_ forest. They gather flowers
and break branches, and I feel as though they were robbing me. If only I
could forbid people to walk in the forest and to boat on The Sound!

It is quite bad enough to have the gardener prowling about in my garden.
He is all over the place. The garden seems to have shrunk since he came.
And yet, in spite of myself, I often stand watching the man when he is
digging. He has such muscular strength and uses it so skilfully. He puts
on very humble airs in my presence, but his insolent eyes take in
everything.

Torp wears herself out evolving tasty dishes for him, and in return he
plays cards with her.

Jeanne avoids him. She literally picks up her skirts when she has to go
past him. I like to see her do this.

* * *