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29 January 1906 — Calcutta | |
Monday. 29th [January 1906]. Nela & I went out to get & pay for our tickets at Cooks & do other little shopping. We all went to lunch with Lord Kitchener at the Fort, Mrs Harington, Corise, Nela, Miss Heron Maxwell & I. We found Lord K. with his 5 ADCs a pleasant little party. He received us very cordially & at once began to show me his treasured oriental porcelain collection—& was pleased to find I had a smattering of knowledge of the subject. Fortunately I still remember something about it from seeing my mother collect. He seems to me to have some nice things & probably of great value. We lunched in an oval room lighted from the top. On the table were massive silver cups—every detail was well appointed, linen, china plates & food. I sat next to Lord K on his right—Corise on his left—on my right was a Col. Marker. I found he was nephew to Mme Stefani who used to live at Venice. The Commander in Chief’s house is part of the old fort—& has from its wide verandah a lovely view over the Maidan– he took us out to see a great fern house he has made on the old ramparts– Covered in with matting as is the custom in this country– After this we took our leave– Nela & I drove to Grand Hotel to call upon Miss Waldegrave & bid her good bye as we leave tomorrow for Burmah. At 4 Mme Quadt & Elisabeth de Martino called for me & took me for a drive with them & then came back to tea at Middleton St. Corise & Miss Heron Maxwell were just preparing to start by the mail train for Lucknow & were at tea when we got there. In the noise of the talk Elisabeth bent down to me & asked me sotto voce where Adeline Guest was. I told her I did not know except that she had married again. I knew nothing of her & never saw her & that my brother Arthur had died in my house. How curious it is that her name should ever have been mentioned between us after the harm she & Elisabeth’s husband had wrought in our family! The Judge returned from his excursion at this time & we had our last dinner together. | |
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