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24 June 1887 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Friday. 24th [June 1887]. Washed my hair after breakfast & hardly had time to get it dry so many people came. Miss Holas, Miss Tasker, Signor Trombini with his brother who is Chapel band master to the Emperor of Russia. He told us how terrified the Czar is of assassination & how ill the poor Empress is becoming from the constant state of fear in wh she lives– Of the former one has no sympathy, a man who is afraid being despicable but for the fond wife one feels all. Directly after lunch I went out to see Countess Pisani & met there Mr H. James (U.S.) & we had a very pleasant chat. I went on to the Valmaranas, found the Countess Giustina at home in her pretty little apartment at the top of the house– The Contesina Nana came up there to see me & afterwards took me to her aunt Bss Nitta’s rooms, the latter was very much changed and very sad & I dont quite know how I got through that visit. I went on to the Canevaros to take leave of them, & then went home to fetch the girls & we all started off in gondola—Henry & I went to Mrs Bronson’s to bid her goodbye– Left cards on the Hurtados but afterwards met her at Mrs Bronson’s. Called at the Stabto & then went to the Edens garden where they had their steam launch ready & they took us out for a dinner picnic. We tried to go to the Porté but we had a little bit of open sea to cross & as there was a little wind & a strong contrary tide running Carry begged to keep in & so Mr Eden ran for an old Austrian fort where there was deep water up a broad canal & he landed us. We dined in a lovely spot under the trees & had a beautiful view of Venice in the distance with the young moon setting & above her a bright star. We said it looked as if the moon were making love to the star & opening her arms towards him for him to drop into– There was a splendid sunset bright orange & lovely tender reds & the colours in the sky beautifully reflected in the water. Before we had finished an excellent dinner the night had come. We dined after 8 & abt 10 we got into the launch & steamed home. There was a grand storm going on over the terra firma & brilliant flashes of lightening so that we expected to be overtaken by the storm. But there was none after all & we found old Luigi with our gondola waiting for us at the door of the Edens’ house & soon got home. Gigia had been taken with cramps in the stomach & was gone to bed. | |
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