Monday, January 8:
Hans's birthday — on which day it is given to me to learn that he has been holding a rehearsal! R. had a good night; he is cheerful and comes frequently to my room during the morning to read me bits of his letter to Levi. Our lunch passes without the little Countess, who is indisposed. We visit her, first I alone, then R. comes to fetch me, and, friendly though he is toward the charming lady, the impression all her elegance in bed makes on him is a very dismal one! And so these days bear the stamp of sadness!
While my father is playing whist, R. reads King Lear to me and Eva — the scene in which Kent is put in the stocks — and we come to the conclusion that one ought to read Shakespeare scene by scene, for otherwise one never really gets to know him. My father and the others come in unnoticed to listen, which surprises and pleases R.
In recent days R.'s face has had a wonderful radiance, and when his eyes fell on me, I felt "gladness and woe in one." Today I felt it indescribably!