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20 May 1907 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Monday. 20th May [1907]. After breakfast I had almost my first chat with Augusta who said she was going out to spend the morng with her friends & would be in to lunch, & would remain on here for another 10 days after they leave tomorrow. I went out with the Bessborough family—to S. Tomà to see the Frari pictures wh are deposited there during the repairs of the church—from there to San Vio to show Gweneth the glass shop & on to the Piazza & home to lunch. Mr & Mrs Leverton Harris came to lunch. He has just been returned to Parliament for Stepney with a majority of 7000! They are rich people & pleasant. At lunch Augusta told me that she had received a summons to return to England & so she went off by the 2 o’cl train. It was a disappointment to us both as she meant to have remained another 10 days & with that idea I had left her much to her own devices and devoted myself more to the Bessboro’ party. On taking leave of me she said she was afraid we were drifting apart—wh is the truth as she had devoted herself to Irish literature & a certain anti English set—including this poet Yeats who almost lives at Coole & who is not attractive to outsiders. I would like to warn her against all this but have learnt by experience that even ones best friends do not care for advice & must work out their own little lives. The party in the house is dwindling—Edward & Blanche & their girl Gweneth (who is very pretty & bright), Connie & Miss Hallé remain. After the Harris’ had left I took Blanche to call on Angela Reinelt & we sent back the gondola to fetch Edward & when he came we went together to Rossi the antiquity dealer—& on to see the Johnsons at their Comari Palace, Madonna dell’Orto. Met Gweneth & Nora there. Had tea in the lovely old Italian garden but were driven in by the rain as a sudden storm came up– The Johnsons are nice quiet Americans hospitable & kindly. She was a Miss Lazarus & was baptised the day she was married at Pal. Rezzonico when staying with the Brownings. | |
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