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3 September 1908 — Castel Savoia, Gressoney St. Jean | |
Thursday. 3rd [September 1908]. At 10 took a walk as far as Gressoney with Alessandro Guiccioli & met the Queen without her hat walking in the grounds with Ma Villamarina. Had much talk with him about the Queen. He says she had a trying life. When a child her mother was severe with her & she had an unhappy youth tho’ now she is very attentive to the old Dss of Genoa & seems much attached to her. She had a difficult life with her husband who was very much given to run after other women & they sometimes ladies of the Queen. Kind people carried the report to her & she treating her rivals coldly they revenged themselves by complaining to the K, & so more mischief was made. I asked G. if it were true that there was coldness between the present King & his mother—he thought that there was as he thought he had been neglected by her when he was a child—& that she had taken too little notice of him. He is also jealous of her affection for all the family of the Aostas—but G. added that after all it was difficult for a proud woman like the Regina Madre & to take to a woman like the Q. Elena who tho’ an excellent person comes from a family of robber chieftains & was little above many Italian peasants in her former position. As we were walking up back to the Castle we met the Q. walking barehead with the Mara Villamarina & all the pet dogs (11 in number) taking a stroll before lunch. She stopped to say a few words & then we went on to prepare for 12 o’cl lunch. After lunch we sat as usual in the verandah & I worked a little at the Ch. tree ornaments. At 3 the Q. retired & at 4 we were again reassembled to climb up to Casa Bianca where tea was prepared for us. Fried polenta wine fruits cakes & tea were served. After tea we sat out & admired the splendid view. It was a lovely evening—& the sky was cloudless. The Q. said that she was glad I should have a fine day for my last impressions of Gressoney as I leave tomorrow. We dined at 8.15 & the Q. sat in the chimney nook afterwards as usual while we sat round her. When she got too hot she retired to the big table & arm chair & I to the patience table to teach the gentlemen, M. Mme & Bébé patience. At 11 we retired & I took leave of all the assembly. When I got to the top of the stairs on the landing outside our bedrooms the Q. took an affecte leave of me. She kissed me warmly, said she was sorry I was going, that I must come back very often & that I must write– She came back a second time, kissed me again putting her hand on my shoulder & said “God bless you.” It made me feel quite choky—it was so kind & hearty & friendly. I got to bed as quick as I could having to be up tomorrow very early. | |
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