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25 January 1899 — Rome | |
Wednesday. 25th [January 1899]. Very showery weather still. I wrote letters & then paid Mme de Bülow a visit in her room & at 12 went for a walk on the Pinchio. There I met Lady Vivian & baby & walked back with them to Pal. Borghese– Came in lunched dressed & at 2 drove off in a hired carriage to the audience of the Queen wh she had appointed for 2.30.—found Css Onofrio, Marchesa Villamarina in waiting & the Queen received me almost immediately. She kissed me & made me sit on the sofa by her side & we had quite a friendly chat of half an hour. She looked very pretty—& young tho’ it is a pity that as her hair is turning rather white she hides it with dye. She was in a beautiful room with Gobelin tapestries fine ceiling books flowers &c &c. She talked of Roman society—of books & art &c. We spoke of the Dss of Aosta her beauty & charming character & how happy she is with her baby– The time passed all too quick & when she rose to let me go she kissed me on both cheeks & shook me warmly by the hand. From the Palace I drove to Pal. Borghese & picked up Violet Vivian—& took her driving with me. We went to try & see Pss Arduino Buoncompagni but were rather late; she was just going out. I wrote my name on the Connaughts at Hotel Bristol & then we went to Pal. Caritani to call on the Dss of Sermoneta who has her eye bound up & could not go out. Violet went up to see her daughter “Nilla.” Lady Susan Townley & Lady Hilda Keppel came there also. At 4.30 I took Violet to Countess Canevaro’s it being her “day” & it was like a party. There were a great many diplomats & also Roman ladies & it was very animated. On leaving there I stopped at Marchesa del Grillo (Mme Ristori’s) but she was not at home so I deposited Violet at her house & came in to rest. I paid a visit to Lady Louisa Legge in the hotel. The poor little lady has a very bad cold & is kept in her room. Had a visit from Mrs Peirce Way an American who invited me to go to the theatre with her but I thanked her & declined. I do not yet feel up to it. | |
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