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14 November 1899 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Tuesday. 14th November [1899]. I left Venice by 2 o’cl train and arrived at Trento on a visit to H.M. Empress Frederick at 7.50. My room was taken at Hotel Trento kept by Herr Oesterreicher & I rushed off there as quickly as I could. Meeting Count Seckendorff on the stairs he told me H.M. was just waiting dinner for me & begged me not to dress so I rushed to my room & just took off my bonnet & in ten minutes was ready & ran down. I found H.M. waiting & she received me most kindly & cordially. Besides Count Seckendorff there were also Herr von Wedell, Baroness and D. Spielhagen the Empress’ medical man. Mme Fabre des Tour who is also in waiting is ill in bed. After dinner I sat talking to H.M. at the big round table while the 4 others played whist. H.M. knitted comforters for her little grand children & I sat idle. She of course talked of the Transvaal war—over which she worries a great deal. She spoke of the Emperor of Germany’s coming visit to England & how sad it made her to think she could not be there & that it was all being done for those with whom she could take no part. It is a bitter thought to her. She said she was dreadfully crippled with rheumatism & lumbago & has been ordered to spend the winter in the mild South & therefore has taken a villa at Lerici near Genoa– It was nearly ten before the whist was finished & H.M. rose & retired to her own rooms. It is sad to see how she requires help to be able to rise from her chair tho’ she still walks well. | |
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