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8 December 1890 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Monday. 8th December [1890]. Splendid weather– Passini came & got on famously with Henry’s portrait. I wrote a lot of letters. Gave out stores– At 10.30 Mr Moore came with the steam launch to pick up me & Ola & Nela & lunch & we stopped at the Europa & there were joined by Mme Noce & P. & Pss Adolf & Mlle Blücher. It was a heavenly day & quite warm in the sun besides which we were in a little cabin. We steamed off for Torcello—thinking all the way how pleased the Empress Frederick would have been had she been there—& how short a time it was since we were last there altogether on 28th of last Sept. We landed all but Mme Noce & Ola who stayed in the launch to prepare the lunch. Pss Victoria & I walked on ahead & had a little talk & she told me she was very happy altho’ she added “I do not deny that it was not a love match.” but that every day she appreciated his goodness more & more. I told her I was glad & hoped she would try & keep as much as she could with him & she said that she would & was glad they were going this long trip that he might lose his shyness & be better able to take his place for he really is clever—understands farming & surgery & many things which are very useful– She said her brother the Emperor who is not given to take fancies to anyone is devoted to Prince Adolf & says sometimes “Isn’t he handsome—is he not charming” to which she answers “Don’t be so silly Willie”—but she said it with pleasure & pride. I hope that it may turn out a success. We walked about & Fraulein Blücher & P. Adolf & Mr Moore went to the top of the tower of the cathedral. Pss Victoria, Nela & I were wandering when I saw people going into the church & followed & there found a baby being christened. The old priest was gabbling away the service. The little baby all swaddled up on a pillow was held by a man, another stood by with a lighted candle—a few children stood round. The priest interlarded his prayers with reproofs of the children. Telling them to get out of the way—& finally they all marched off to the half ruined baptistry where he proceeded with the service. We got back to the launch at 2 & found lunch ready & eat it as we steamed to Mazzorbo. There we got out & took a little walk while they got water for our engine. All the island was en fête as it was the Madonna de Concepzione & the women were picturesque in red petticoats, blue aprons & coloured shawls over their heads. The sun was set when we got home & it was quite chilly but it was a lovely evening & Venice a grey hazy Venice floating in a pearly sea was like a dream. We had tea in my bedroom & I rested till dinner. The P. & Pss were to have come to dinner but she sent me a note to beg to be excused as the P. did not care to come till afterwards—Mr Malcolm dined with us & the P. & Pss came abt 8.30. Adl & Mme Noce, the Brownings, Edith Bronson, Idita Bent:, Mr Moore came abt 9—but they did not remain late as the P. & Pss wished to leave early as they go by an early train tomorrow. Before leaving Mazzorbo Mr Moore photod us in a group & brought us proofs to see in the eveng—they were absurdly bad & caused much merriment. | |
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