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9 July 1903 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Thursday. 9th [July 1903]. At last the weather seems more settled. I was able to finish my 2 copies of pictures to send to Mr Morgan Richards who buys them for the benefit of the Hospital. The Pope really marvellously better! I went out in gondola after lunch & to the yacht “Thistle” to write my name on the Empress Eugenie who has just arrived in her. On getting there where she lay opposite Danielli’s Hotel, I asked if H.M. had a book for one to write ones name. On being told she had I went quickly on board & there saw a figure in black sitting knitting. The lady rose & came towards me & I thought I recognised the Empress. I told her my name adding that I had come to write my name in her book feeling very awkward at having forced my way in upon her. She seemed to remember who I was but said “Oh yes, the book, show Lady Layard to the book.” I hastily wrote my name & coming to the side of the vessel made my curtsey & was going to leave when she came forward & asked me to sit down & then she went knitting on for 20 minutes—very pleasantly. I told her I had seen not long ago here her friend Dr Scott. Oh didn’t you know he is dead? she said. Poor man he died suddenly at Albano where he had driven from Rome. He had gone on there from here– Poor man he seemed so strong & erect & hearty & so interested in photography. I suppose he was the Empress’ Dr. She said she expected him one day at Cap Martin & instead got a telegram to say he was dead. The Empress is sadly changed in appearance—has lost every good look & all her smartness. Her eyebrows are painted with one long streak of colour on each side of her face– Her eyes blacked on the under lid—only she had forgotten to do both eyes. She wore a sort of black sailor hat & was huddled in a wrap against the cold. She wondered how we could get about in our gondolas—& showed me a bruise of her arm saying she fell getting out of the gondola yesterday going to see the Q. Margherita. She took me to the companion ladder, looked over to see me go. I went on to the Eden garden—& stayed with them some time coming home just in time for dinner– | |
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