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20 October 1889 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Sunday. 20th [October 1889]. It poured all the morning but luckily cleared after lunch– The girls went to church. I finished the knots for the gondola cushions & directly after lunch we set off for the station to meet the Empress Frederick & Princesses Victoria, Sophia & Margaret & the P. & Pss of SaxeMeiningen. Css Pisani came to take Ola with her. Morelli took Eda & Nela & Henry took me & Da Laura. We had some more wait at the station where were assembled the authorities & abt 3 the Special Train arrived. The Empress in deep mourning got out of her carriage & spoke to old Princess Hatzfeldt, Da Laura, Henry & me & then went into the waiting room to receive the congratulations & compliments wh were to be offered to her & to the Bride elect. We took the opportunity of slipping away, regaining our gondolas & seeing the Royal party get into their gondolas & start in procession accompanied by the authorities in the bissoni belonging to the Municipality. The Royal gondolas the rowers in Red liveries conveyed the Empress, Princesses & suit & many people put out flags from their balconies. As our gondoliers could not keep up very well with the procession we cut across by S. Moisè & saw them arrive at the “Imperatrix” & the Empress made us signs to follow them on board– This we did & she received us most affectionately but with the saddest expression & tears in her eyes saying to us—It makes me so sad to return to a place of wh he was always so fond & where he was so fond of coming. The 3 Princesses hugged me & said “Dear Aunt Enid how delightful to be back”– Idita Bentivoglio came also on board & remained with Princess Victoria; after waiting some time we returned home & I promised to go back to them at 6 to take Pss Victoria for a walk on the Piazza. I went home & got my tea but when I started off at 6 to the Steamer, alas! it was pouring cats & dogs! & thus was no walking. Besides I found Pss Victoria just going to wash & dress. However I begged Mlle de Perpigna to come home & dine with us—& waited while she dressed & took her with me—& we got back just in time for dinner. At 8.30 we all went back to the Imperatrix to see the Fête given by the town La Pèche aux flambeaux by the Chioggioti. A great many Chioggia boats with Chinese lanterns to the rigging came up & pretended to fish & cast out nets with shouts of “Viva la spose” & Bengal lights. All the Riva & St Giorgis & the Salute were lighted up in red. We went up to the upper deck to see it & the Empress & Princesses also came & stayed till past 10 when worn out with fatigue they went off to bed & we returned home. The rain had held off for the fete but began again as we came home. I am afraid that all the music & noise was very trying to the Empress who was too sad & worn to find pleasure in it. | |
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