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19 November 1906 — Stupinigi Palace, Turin | |
Monday. 19th [November 1906]. My boxes were packed & ready to depart with my maid at 11 a.m. as they had to go to Turin by the train. I sat all the morning in the room I have to sit in writing & copying designs of embroidery in the room. Signor Tenerani paid me a solemn visit. He is a charming man with a kind face & gentle manner. He kissed my hand very prettily on leaving. I went to the meeting room at 12—but it was empty. Soon after the Queen came thro’ in a smart dress. She had been in to Turin to pay her respects to her mother whose birthday it is. Her own is tomorrow. We lunched at 12.15 & the Q. called aside Count Colegno & told him to let me sit next to her at table as I was just leaving. I saw this as he at once came & told me I was to sit near her & not one off. As soon as we sat down H.M. said how sorry she was to lose me & that she hoped to make me feel as melancholy as possible. I told her she wd not have any difficulty as I was quite sad already at leaving. After lunch we sat for a short while making bead chains & then at 1.15 H.M. rose said “I am sorry to do it, but I must send you away.” On kissing me she said in my ear, “I regret you are leaving. May God’s blessing go with you. I love you very much.” It made me feel quite choky. I thanked her & wished her all joy of the fête tomorrow & left the room– H.M. stood until I turned & made my last curtsey & went out accompanied to the meeting room by the household. The Marchesa Villamarina accompanied me to the door & waited while I got my hat & cloak & then bid me an affectionate farewell & bid me remember that in her I always had a true friend & recommended me her daughter in law Ethel Contadoni who is in London. I jumped into the motor car & we were off. Everyone has been so kind to me at Stupinigi that it made me quite sorry to leave. Duchesa Sforza arrived this morng to take her waiting & was at lunch—so I only just made her acquaintance. I was at the station only just 5 minutes before the train left. Had a comfortable sleeping berth. It was a very fine day & the sun hot—but as we got to the top of the mountain the snow lay thick. At Modane there was heavy rain & it was less cold. As I went along I thought what they were all going at Stupinigi & of the sweet Queen who is a good & large minded woman never so happy as when she is doing a kindness to others & bravely doing her duty after the trouble she has been through. Then I learnt some Italian poetry to while away the time—Petrarque’s– Dined at Chambery—& then lay down to sleep & arrived on | |
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