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8 January 1899 — Naples | |
Sunday. 8th [January 1899]. Miss Hoffman & I went to service in the English Church at 11. Fannie met us when we came out of church & we walked together on the sea wall returning to the Hotel to lunch at 1. After lunch I went to the Palazzo Filangieri to try & see the Dss Ravaschieri, the lady who is so good to the sick & poor of Naples. The porter said she was ill & only saw her relatives—but he sent up my card & her maid came down & said the Dss had had a bad night & would rather see me tomorrow. I said I was leaving tomorrow at which she took me up with her to see the Dss for a few minutes. Her niece the Marchesa Cillamare received me & took me into the room. There sat the dear old lady in a purple plush tea gown & her white hair & face tied up in black lace. She was the picture of the grande dame. She rose & folded me in her arms & kissed me on both cheeks. She looked very ill—her face quite yellow– As there was another lady there besides the Cillamare the talk could only be general– I did not stay 10 minutes. The Dss kissed me again & said in English (we had spoken in French) “God bless you, I am always with you”– I was much touched. I left feeling I should never see her again. Returned to the hotel—& talked again to Fannie on the one subject. Had tea at 5. Dinner at 7 & talked in the intervals till bed time. | |
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