 | Lady Layard’s Journal Go to a Date Search the Journal |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |
9 December 1901 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Monday. 9th [December 1901]. Wrote some letters—sat with Sophy & had some talk with her trying to comfort & soothe her. Besides her bad health she has not recovered the first shock of the death of her fiancé Sir John Conroy last year wh happened very suddenly. After lunch I went out with Emilia in gondola– I called on Bss Reinelt and had a chat & then we went on to get Emilia a little guard ring—& to do some shopping. Countess Morosini came to tea looking very smart & handsome—tho’ I think her beauty is a hard one. I tried to be friendly to her as Bss Reinelt tells she declares she is very frightened of me– It is very unfortunate how many people are afraid of poor humble me—only, I think because I am so big & perhaps grim & serious looking. I am constantly finding this & regret it. Mr Byard dined with us & we went to the Concert given at the Rossini theatre by Sarasate– Emilia & Mr Murray accompanied us. Beautifully as Sarasate played I did not specially care for the concert. Mme Marx played the piano accompaniments well. In the entracte E. & I sent Mr Byard with our cards to Sarasate & he sent to beg we would go & speak to him behind the scenes wh we did & I presented Mr Byard to him. He seemed pleased & he talked much of a new tenor he had heard at Florence one Bonci a friend of Mr Byard’s—who was delighted– Mme & Mlle Rubini were in the stalls close under my box– I noticed the mother looked drooping & in answer to my signs she made me understand that she was suffering great pain in her heart. I sent Mr Byard to bring her out & then I took her to her home in my gondola & got her to bed. She was so feeble that it was only between me & the gondolier that we got her to her room—& then I called up her maid & gave her ether drops & left her a little more comfortable & then went home myself. | |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |