Wednesday, August 9:
R. had a wretched night and spends the morning in the garden, where he eats alone, without greeting Biagino, who has just arrived. I receive some friends, Passini, Liechtenstein, etc., for lunch and, when we are having coffee in the hall and in my room, he summons Biagino to the salon with Norma. Unfortunately his device does not succeed; someone else hears him, and R., annoyed, exclaims, “The indiscretion of my friends spoils all my enjoyment!” Later he wants to go out, to visit Frau Materna in the Sonne, but someone immediately stops him in the street, and this sends him home in annoyance. In the evening he is in a somewhat irritable mood, and the necessity of talking French with Biag. is a torture to him. He sends for Malwida, who never disturbs him, and Stein.