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30 March 1908 — Rome | |
Monday. 30th [March 1908]. Up as usual but not feeling very well. Mrs Griscom (mere) & Pansy & Mrs Bettel came to see me having lately arrived from America to see Mr Lloyd Griscom now American Ambr here. As soon as they had left I had to rush to bed feeling so ill that I could not keep up any longer—my head ached terribly. There I remained in the dark—dosing until 7 when being better I was able to get up & dress & go to dine with the Lloyd Griscoms—a great Belteshazzar of abt 40 people. The Duke of Sermoneta took me in to dinner & on my left sat a Sigr Cusani an employé in the F.O. here. Almost directly after the dinner of which I eat nothing, & which lasted nearly 2 hours I had to leave as the Egertons called for me & took me to Queen Margherita. She had invited us to a musical evening party at 10 o’clock. She received me most kindly kissing me on both cheeks—asked me at once if I had been presented to the Duchess of Genoa & on my saying no proceeded at once to present me. The Duchess is a little bent old lady with pretty white hair & kind eyes. The Queen was looking very well but since I saw her last has given up dyeing her hair golden & has left it white with even a little powder to hide where it is still a little yellow. The music was all russian 2 quartetts & a trio– Dvorak, Tchaikofsky & . There was a good many handsome well dressed ladies & the scene was very picturesque. The Queen & the Dss of Genoa sat in armchairs & Lady Egerton & I on a sofa near—the little circle being completed by the Dss of Bognara & the Dss of Sermoneta. Amongst groups of azalea trees on the other side of the room sat bevies of fair women, well dressed & with many diamonds. The men stood in groups near the door. The middle of the room was empty. Between each quartett the Q. went to compliment the musicians & to speak to some of the ladies. When the music was over she led her mother into the next room & we all followed & found a buffet prepared. We had refreshments & I was glad of some tea for my head was still shaky. The Queen went from one to the other taking much trouble to put everyone at their ease. I found many acquaintances who received me very kindly & cordially. Abt 10.30 the Queen retired & we were free to return home. She asked me to go & spend a few days with her before leaving Rome. | |
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