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24 September 1908 — Ca’ Capello, Venice | |
Thursday. 24th [September 1908]. Cav. Arbib came to see me in the morning to tell me of a plan he has for buying back the V. Murano Co from Newgass—& wanted me to help him to find £5000! wh I showed him was impossible. It is one of his Utopian schemes. I gave him coffee & he sat sometime talking cheerfully & has evidently got over his loss of money & is working to pick up more—but he wasted a good deal of my time! After lunch I went on foot to Piccoli’s shop to try & find a table for my drawing room. Then returned & took Mrs Ady & the girl out in gondola. We went to the Arbib’s to show them the villa & garden wh is a surprise to find in the centre of Venice. Thence we went to the Hospital where the Genl met us– The Adys left us & went off in my gondola to have tea with Dss Consuelo of Manchester– When I got to the Hospital the boy at the door said I was being called on the telephone. I ran in thinking something had happened at home. A voice said “I am a reporter of the Gazzetta—a gentleman has just shot himself at the Hotel d’Europa & left a letter addressed to “Lady Layard” his name is Raymond Laurent, do you know him?” I thought this extraordinary & impertinent on the part of a reporter & answered shortly that I knew nothing abt it & that I was not sure whether I knew such a man or not & I left the instrument & went to join the Genl in the Eden’s garden. We are living in queer days I think when a lady is liable to such questionings by a newspaper reporter. After sitting talking in the Eden’s garden for a while with the Genl we went back to the hospital & Miss Chaffey gave us tea in the garden & then the Genl brought me home. I have heard nothing more about the Europa tragedy & think it must be some hoax or some mistake. I had a post card today from Princess Sophie saying she is coming here on 1st on her way to Greece & hopes to stop with me– I wrote to say I should be here & should expect her to lunch. She wrote from Meiningen. | |
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