Italian Letters of a Diplomat's Wife: January-May, 1880; February-April, 1904Waddington, Mary King
General
Italian Letters of a Diplomat's Wife: January-May, 1880; February-April, 1904
Waddington, Mary King
Rome (Italy) -- Social life and customs
I was interrupted by a message from Gert begging me to come to her at
once. Her maid was in such an extraordinary state of violence she
thought she was crazy--and as Eugene was away for a day or two she was
really afraid. I questioned the little footman who brought the note but
he was very non-committal. W. was already off to see the review and I
left him a note explaining where I was and asking him if I didn't get
back to breakfast to come and get me at Gert's. I then started off with
the little footman who had a fiacre waiting. As I entered the court of
the Palazzo Altemps a glimpse of a white, frightened face at the window
told me what Gert's state was. Poor dear, she was terribly upset, and
Eugene's being away is a complication. Her two men-servants are very
devoted, but they evidently feel uncomfortable. She asked me if I would
go with her and see the woman. We found her sitting in a chair in Gert's
dressing-room looking certainly most unpleasant, sullen, and an ugly
look in her eyes. She is a great big Southern woman (French), could
throw Gert out of the window if she wanted to. Gert spoke to her very
gently, saying I had come to see her as I had heard she was not well.
She didn't answer nor move but gave Gert a nasty look--she evidently has
got something against her. I looked at her very steadily--said we were
very sorry she was suffering, which was most evident, and that the best
thing for her would be to rest, attempt no service of any kind and go to
her own room--that we had sent for Dr. Valery who would certainly be
able to relieve her. She didn't answer at first, and looked as if she
would like to spring upon us both, then burst into screams of
abuse--"She would go to her room of course--would leave the house at
once and never come back, etc." I told her I should certainly advise
Mrs. Schuyler to send her away--that evidently the climate did not suit
her, and she would be happier in France. She didn't answer, relapsed
into her sullen silence, and almost immediately Valery appeared. He
insisted very quietly that she should go to her own room (at the other
end of the apartment), and she went off with him, giving an ugly look at
Gert as she passed. It seems she already had had such an attack, less
violent, when they were at Birmingham, but once it was over went on
quite peaceably and didn't seem to realize how ill she had been. Valery
came back to tell us the result of his examination--said she had already
calmed down and was anxious to beg her mistress's pardon, but that she
was of a nervous, dangerous temperament, and at any moment might have a
relapse. Of course she must go, but it is very uncomfortable. I took
Gert out for a drive. W. sent me a line to say he was busy all the
afternoon and would not come unless I wanted him. I think the air and
distraction did her good. The streets had a decidedly festive
appearance. There were a good many flags everywhere, and soldiers still
passing on their way back to their various barracks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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