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14 November 1891 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Saturday. 14th November [1891]. Henry & I left by 9 oclock train for Verona. Just before leaving the station of Venice we heard shrieks & it was explained that the guard had carelessly shut the carriage door on the fingers of a poor girl in the train & crushed 3 of her fingers. However she was able to proceed to Verona– We lunched at Verona having an hour to wait there. Took the train on to Alee where we had our luggage examined. It blew pretty hard all night & rained as far as Verona– After wh it began to clear & became lovely all up the Val Sugana & quite mild. Count Seckendorff & the Empress servant met us at Trent station & we walked across to the Hotel & we were met on the stairs by H. Majesty’s Lady in waiting who said the Empress was waiting for us & took us straight into her sitting room, a large room on the 1st floor lighted with electric light & having a nice wood fire. It was a lovely evening—just 5 oclock—a clear sky & a splendid rising moon– HM received us most warmly & kindly. Helped me to pull off my jacket & said we must have tea– Princess Margaret was with her & very nice & affectionate. The Empress began at once to talk eagerly with Henry about a certain disgraceful article by Herr Bode the Director of the Berlin Gallery, very abusive of our dear friend Morelli—published in the Fortnightly Review. She said she had intended writing to Henry on the subject but had thought it best to wait to see him & speak to him. Henry said he was already preparing an answer to Bode in the Preface he is now writing to Miss Jocelyn Ffoulke’s translation of Morelli’s last book. Then we went in to tea at wh we met Count Wedel the ADC & a young lady friend of Pss Margaret– After tea Her Majesty begged Henry to let her see his Preface & he is now with her down stairs while I am in our sitting room writing this. We dined at 8 with the Empress & I played Halma with Pss Margaret & the 2 ladies while Henry talked to HM. Count Seckendorff was gone to bed with a cold & Ct Wedel was dining out. Our meal was a small supper—fish—one meat a sweet. So when at 10 the Empress dismissed us Henry & I retired to our room & had a slight refreshment before going to bed. | |
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