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25 January 1879 — Constantinople | |
Saturday. 25th [January 1879]. Mr Dussap called to talk about the Concert but had arranged no programme & I had great difficulty in making him sketch out one. He also tried to make me ask a lady & gentleman I did not know to play at the concert wh I refused. At 2 I had a concert Committee meeting & then at 3.30 went out driving to call upon Mme Kiasim Bey & Pss Aziza (Nazlie’s sister). They have a fine wooden house at Kabatash and they recd me very politely in a small inner room very prettily fitted up with Turkish old things. They gave me the usual coffee, sweets & tea. Mr de Torey was there on my arrival but he left at once. I met there a very curious & interesting woman, Mme Najib P. a Bosnian—ugly & fat & arrayed in violet velvet– She spoke very comical French & had a loud voice but she kept us in roars of laughter telling us abt her dear friend Lady Kemball—“C’est une bonne dame, mais il est capricieux” she kept saying & told us how they used to quarrel & make it up & how Lady Kemball liked Mme Najib because she (Mme N) was very like Sir Arnold in the face! She also told us that once when they had to meet Lady Salisbury—Lady Kemball said “Let her come to us,” & Mme N. answered Non non ma chère nous sommes militaires vous et moi il faut obeir au chef!” She described Lady Salisbury’s celebrated visit to Mme Medhet & said she said to Lady S “Je ne veux pas parler politique je suis militaire.” At wh Lady S. said “then what will you do” & Mme Najib answered “je veux danser.” “Et bien dansez donc” said Lady S. & the young people took her at her word! Her tone, her gesticulations & her manner were so odd that we all laughed immoderately. From that house I went to call on Pss Nazlie & found her in a very uncomfortable room & sat with her some time & got home late. Copied a letter for Henry & then went off to the practise at the Chapel wh I found nearly over. Genl Dickson & Mr Wrench dined with us. | |
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