Moussia

Research Status: Basic Last Updated: 2025-07-05 Diary Coverage: Up to 1874-02-25

Identity

A young woman loved "sans espoir depuis l'enfance" (hopelessly since childhood) by Étienne Babanine, who requested his photograph be sent to her as he was dying.

Diary References

1874

• February 25: In Dominica Pavlovna's letter announcing Étienne's death, she reveals that during his illness he asked for his photo to be sent to "Moussia 'qu'il aime encore sans espoir depuis l'enfance'" (Moussia whom he still loves hopelessly since childhood).

Context

• Object of Étienne Babanine's unrequited love
• Known to him since childhood
• Russian diminutive name (possibly Maria or another name)
• Étienne's dying wish was to send her his photograph
• Marie finds this revelation "désagréables, surprenantes et étranges"
• Part of the tragic circumstances surrounding Étienne's suicide