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7 January 1899 — Rome | |
Saturday. 7th January [1899]. I was called at 6.30—tea at 7 & at 7.30 went off to the station. I had had a bad night & was worried at the uncertainty of finding Mrs Browning still at Naples. It was a long journey to take at such a risk. However I determined to go on with it. I had a comfortable journey. The train leaving Rome at 8.10 reached Naples at 2.30. I read all the way there to distract my thoughts. I was in the 1st Class compartment in the Ladies’ carriage & there were 2 germans in it. At Naples the Omnibus conductor of the West End Hotel put a note into my hand. It was from Fannie Browning saying she expected me but as she had a cold she could not come to meet me at the station. I was relieved at that & was glad I had come. On arriving at the hotel I went up to her room & she was glad to see me. We have not met since she left her husband & I lost mine. After seeing my room she accompanied me down to the dining room while I lunched—& at once almost we began talking of the object of my visit to her—her possible return to her husband—then I returned with her to her room & there we sat talking & discussing till 5– As she had lost her voice from her cold—she spoke in a whisper, & I answered her in a whisper from a sort of imitation. I did not find it hard to persuade her to come back to her husband—she was evidently desirous in her heart to do so—but we had to discuss the pros & cons & how it could be brought abt. We had some [tea] in my bedroom & were joined by her friend & companion Miss Hoffman—a nice young woman & very pleasant. It appears that the letter I wrote Mrs Browning on 30th Nov. reached N. York on the day she sailed for Europe & followed her back to Naples. We dined at 7– Played patience till bed time. | |
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