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7 February 1899 — Rome | |
Tuesday. 7th [February 1899]. Had an answer from Pen Browning to my letter sending him Fannie’s message—as I was not sure that I had better send it on to her I went to try & see Mrs Curtis to ask her advice. Pen wants Fannie to acknowledge she did him an injustice in leaving him– I wrote her a long letter enclosing his to show to Mrs Curtis before I posted it. Lunched at 1 with Lady Louisa Legge. Had a long visit from Ct de Basterot who tho’ dreadfully lame manages to get about. We talked of Marchesa Lavaggi who was a great friend of his—not knowing that at that very moment she was lying dead! For so I heard 2 hours later. I went to Mrs Curtis & after a long consultation decided to post my letter to Fanny. I then hurried off to the Consulta to go out driving with Ersilia—& found her waiting for me in her carriage– We drove to Css Gianotti’s & there the first thing we heard was that Marchesa Lavaggi was dead. She had had a fit at 11 this morning & died at 2! It was a shock even to me who knew her so slightly & what must it be to her intimate friends. Ersilia was dreadfully upset—& Ct Gianotti was in tears—no one spoke of anything else. I soon persuaded Ersilia to come away & went home with her– She changed her dress & went out again to the Casa Lavaggi to go to the afflicted family. I would have thought it better to have left them alone—but here it is the custom. She left me at my hotel & I went at once to see Mme de Bülow & to tell her gently as I knew she wd also be much upset– I then went upstairs to sit quiet—but Mme Bülow followed me & sat with me till 7.30 when we went down to dinner– Lady Louisa sent word she was not well & could not come down to dinner so I went & sat with her. She was in bed—& I hope nothing serious. | |
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