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15 March 1910 — Rome | |
Tuesday. 15th [March 1910]. I did not rise very early. The Queen went to a mass for the soul of her murdered husband & I was not required before 12 o’cl lunch when I went down to the Regal apartment. I found Marchesa Trotti in waiting. Ct Guiccioli & another whose name I have not yet got hold of. There is also the Css Mimi the Marchesa’s daughter. The Queen came out of her room about 10 minutes past 12; greeted me kindly & affectionetly with the Italian kiss on each cheek & then took my arm to go into the dining room. I sat at her right & next the Marchesa. The Queen was very anxious to have the last news of our English politics. She was amused & interested at my description of the differences of opinions in politics in my family “& the suffragette” she said. “Oh Mam we have also a dreadful suffragette in my family a niece (Mildred) the family has indeed fallen low.” Tea was served at table for those who preferred it to wine. We had splendid strawberries for dessert—otherwise the food was plain—we began with polenta. H.M. took my arm on leaving the dining room & we went into her large drawing room & sat there till 2.30. The Queen was crochetting a white woolen shawl for her mother. The Marchesa also had work. I was idle. The household was absorbed in putting together a puzzle. Then the Q. got up & said I have many visitors to receive this afternoon we shall not meet till dinner at 8.30 but if you like to drive out there is a motor at your disposal. I did not avail myself of this offer. It rained & I preferred to remain quietly indoors. Tea was brought to me in my rooms. I read & worked & rested till dinner time. Went down in the lift at 8.15 to the anteroom to the Queen’s room. When she appeared to go in to dinner she shook hands with us all round & taking my arm marched into the dining room. I sat at her right. The talk fell on the Americans in society & all joined in saying they were generally very tiresome & the importation of them into European society is to be deplored. The Queen said to me in English “I know something want so as my nephew (the D. of the Abruzzi) had been engaged to marry an American girl—happily that is now all over—it would not have done at all. The American Press had the most ridiculous statements on the subject—said that she had every chance of becoming Queen of Italy, as my son was not strong & ignored the fact of all those who in case of his death, who wd come to the throne before the Duke. I have seen with my own eyes a picture of the American girl wearing all my pearls & jewels, published in an American paper.” On my saying I had heard she was not good looking but the Queen said she was very nice looking, but that she was not at all suitable. She told me that the marriage of young Count Pasolini with an American had turned out very badly—the lady having simply left her husband & returned to America. About 10 o’cl in the evening several gentlemen came in to pay their devoirs to H.M. about a dog and they all sat round her in a circle. It was wonderful to see how she kept up the conversation with them—laughing & talking to them all. They were most of them rather old men—senators & politicians—amongst them was Ct Colobiano who had been at Madrid when we were there & who seems to me to have aged curiously. There was also Ct Malvezzi whom I knew. Later the D. & Dss of Sermoneta came in. I was delighted to see them. She is a delightful woman, dresses well—& English born—& has still traces of her former great beauty. At 12 the Queen rose & stood talking for a short time to her circle of gentlemen & then took leave of us all & retired to her own rooms—stopping at the door she turned & curtsied to us & disappeared, the strangers departed & we went to our rooms. | |
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