In spring 1882, Achille presented himself for the first time in the preliminary examination for the Prix de Rome. The requirements included writing a fourvoice fugue on a subject by Gounod, and then setting a text by Count Anatole de Ségur, “Salut printemps, jeune saison,” for female chorus. It is almost surprising to find in the notes of one jury member, Théodore Dubois, that Achille was described as “ingenious, progressing.” However, the student did not advance to the second round of the competition. Guiraud's opinion, on 26 June, suggests that their relationship had not yet blossomed into a friendship: “Some progress. Poorly balanced nature, but intelligent. Will get there, I believe.” This assessment was reserved, compared with that of Théodore Dubois!

It is unlikely that Achille showed his teacher everything he was writing at this time, including works such as “Flots, palmes, sables,” a “Mélodie persane” by Armand Renaud (2 June); a transcription for violoncello of his own Nocturne et Scherzo (14 June); a setting of Hymnis, a “comédie lyrique” by Théodore de Banville; Le triomphe de Bacchus, a suite for piano, four hands, whose title was also inspired by Banville; and finally, Daniel, a cantata whose text came from an earlier Prix de Rome competition and which he set for three soloists and orchestra. He offered a copy of it to a classmate, Georges-Eugène Marquet (who had won a first honorable mention in comic opera in 1880). This incessant production did not prevent him from writing an Intermezzo for orchestra (dated 21 June) for the examination that took place on 11 July, when he shared a second honorable mention with Edmond Missa. Later, Debussy would criticize Missa in Gil Blas, while acknowledging that he had been “a kind and devoted friend.”

Second Visit to Russia

Now in his twentieth year, Achille felt much less urgency to join Mme von Meck for the summer. His love kept him back in Paris as long as the Vasnier family schedule could accommodate him. The beautiful weather lured them to Villed'Avray, where they rented a villa; Achille often went there for the day, returning in the evenings via the last train