On the first occasion I hailed a hansom to drive down there, and it
was a coincidence that while directing the driver the nearest route he
stopped me and said, "I know the way, sir--I was for some time second
coachman there!" This was substantiated shortly after when I had
related the fact to Prince Adolphus, who went out to see him.
I found on entering that Princess May was prepared to sit, so Fraülein
Bricka, her former governess with whom I had corresponded, took me
into the drawing-room and presented me to her. The Princess, whom I
had previously seen, was at once charming in her manner, and although
I am sure those sittings were not a treat for her to look forward to,
she showed admirable patience throughout.
I was not, however, fated to start my drawing under good auspices. On
that occasion I had anticipated a sitting from the Duke of Teck and
not from the Princess May, and I had brought with me blue
rough-surfaced paper which I use for men's drawings, and which I knew
would be difficult as a foundation for the unusual delicacy and
brightness of the skin and complexion of my subject. I confided my
difficulty to Fraülein Bricka, and suggested that I should immediately
go into Richmond and bring back the paper suitable for the purpose,
but she thought that as the Princess was prepared to sit it would be
better to make the best of the materials I had at hand; and as she was
so anxious that everything should go well, I fell in with the idea.
On the occasion of the first sitting the Duchess paid an early visit
to see how the drawing progressed, and after a few observations
invited me to luncheon. Occasionally the Princes came in to break the
monotony of sitting for their sister.
The Duchess of Teck was a great favourite with the people wherever she
went. She had great natural dignity, sympathetic consideration for
others, and that charm of manner which puts every one else at ease. I
remember on one of my visits, H.R.H. had most kindly invited me to
luncheon on the occasion of the last sitting which I eventually
received from the Princess. I expressed my regret, and hoped I might
be excused on the plea that I had to go down to Newmarket, and she
with her usual graciousness at once assented. When I had finished my
last sitting the Duke came into the room, and, not knowing that I was
not able to remain, said, "Well, Ward, you're going to stay to lunch
of course." I replied that I regretted I was unavoidably prevented,
which H.R.H. was aware of.
"Very curious," he said, "since the Duchess has asked you to stay to
luncheon that you refuse." He went into her boudoir and came out
completely in understanding; and slapping me on the shoulder, said,
"Poor Ward. Poor Ward, I quite understand. I'm sorry you can't stay."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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