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31 October 1876 — Madrid | |
Tuesday. 31st [October 1876]. Was arranging the back drawing room when Mr & Mrs Tonm Bruce called having arrived here today– Mme Greindl also called—she is not sure whether her husband will accept the post offered him in Brussels. Went out at 3—left cards. Left Henry to walk in the Recolletos & went to call on Mme Buschenthal. She kept me an hour & I could not get away till nearly 5 when I fetched Henry & took him home. Mme Buschenthal explained to me the reason she only recd men of an eveng. She said she was Brazilian & had been brought up at Rio Janeiro where her mother had one of the best houses & recd a great deal the Corps Dip. She had married as all girls of good family did in that country young, being only 13 & 3 months– She said it was a sign of lowly parentage not to marry at that age– She came here 6 months after prepared to like & be liked—the ladies of Madrid at once began a most tremendous war against her without rhyme or reason—that as soon as she was aware of this she determined to shut her door to them & only receive men—that she at once made her house a centre for men of all shades & opinions & that Queen Christina was then Regent & she used to send to her to beg her to help this or that political scheme. When the ladies saw that this child had obtained so much influence they endeavored to make friends with her & the greatest lady in the land then—the Dss of Villahermosa sent to ask if she wd receive her. Mme Buschenthal refused, but the next day the old Dss drove to the door & sent up a message that she wd come up to her bedroom—when she heard this seeing the Dss was old & so far humbled—she went down to the carriage door & thanked her & brought her in. After this she became great friends & was the joy of the old Dss heart & whereas everyone else trembled before the old lady she was the spoilt child. When the other ladies saw this they began to make advances to Mme Buschenthal who consented to receive them during the day—but from 7 at night she continued to receive men only. She said all this made her feel for me in all the insults I had recd from the ladies here– She said “yo me propongo ir al cielo con lodos mis favores develtas & todo mis insultos vengados.” She then told me a long story about the present Marquesa de la Romana when Mme Benaesa. It appears Mme Benaesa intrigued with the Saxon Minister—& the Austrian Ministers wife intrigued with the Austrian secy. The Saxon Min: wished to give a party & he asked those 2 ladies to look thro’ his list for him. Mme Benaesa & the Austrian Ambss. for fun one day took to writing things against people’s names giving reasons for not inviting them– Against Mme Buschenthal’s name they wrote that she was not to be asked because she was not good eno’. Mme Buschenthal heard of it & never rested till she got the list to verify the insult with her own eyes. One eveng she showed the list to her circle of men, & told them they must help her to revenge herself. They promised to her to get the Saxon Minister abused by the press of his own country—for the women—she wd undertake to manage them. She worked & paid spies & at last got a love letter of the Saxon Min’s for Mme Benaesa—& also got proofs abt the Austrian Ambss. It cost her a heap of money but that was nothing. There was to be a great masked ball at wh all the aristocracy were going– She told all her men friends to assemble at her house at 9 of the night of the ball– When they were assembled she told them all the story & how she meant to go to the ball & tear off Mdte Benaesa’s mask & give her the letter she had & also to confront the Aust: Ambss! She knew what dominoes they both wore as she had bribed their maids– It appears that some gentleman who knew all parties well rushed off & told the Marquis of Ulagares all—he was a friend of the Saxon Min: & at once warned him & the others. As Mme Buschenthal was arranging her dominoe to go to the ball in rushed Ulagares to implore her to give up her project—he had brought the Saxon Min: who went on his knees saying that Mme Benaesa was prepared to leave Madrid that moment & go any where she wished—& when she saw him so humble she tore up the letter & cast it at his feet. However all Madrid knew the scandal & Mme Benaesa had to leave Madrid—the Austrian Ambss got removed to another post. The Tom Bruces dined with us. | |
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