Part 14 (1/2)
Your letter came yesterday telling of your visit to Black Horse Farm, and as for spending our honeymoon there, it would be a bit out of Paradise! But don't, Polly, don't, I beg of you, put off announcing your engagement in New York. Think of the position it puts me in; as you know, Rome is all agog with it. Ask your Aunt frankly why she is so hesitant. Apparently she liked me, and she offered no objections in Europe to what she must have known was coming. In any case she cannot force you to accept the attentions of the Prince.
I wish, dearest, you might have been at the diplomatic reception at the Court, at the Quirinal, the other evening. How sweet you would have looked in your Court dress! I was overwhelmed, absolutely overwhelmed by congratulations and good wishes. Even the ministers and chiefs of missions seemed to know of my great happiness and took the occasion to say nice things. The world does indeed love a lover. When I reached my apartment I danced the Highland fling with two umbrellas crossed together for swords, and felt like sliding down the banisters, too!
At Court the reception is always a very fine function; first to rattle through the entrance of the palace, across the court to the foot of the broad staircase where the big _portiers_ in red liveries salute and bow, then up the brilliantly-lighted, crimson-carpeted staircase to the huge _antecamera_ hung with tapestries, a vast chamber where a company of splendid _corazzieri_ in gleaming helmets and cuira.s.ses stand at attention and salute each Amba.s.sador.
The reception-room is magnificent, and there the diplomats in their uniforms, gaudy with all sorts of tinsel plaques, stars, crescents, and gold embroidery, stand about till the approach of the Royalties is announced. Then they bustle into line according to precedence--a procession that reaches around the room, each Amba.s.sador with his staff behind him. Thereupon the King and Queen arrive! They bow; we all bow. His Majesty shakes hands with the Amba.s.sadors, and makes conversation. One by one, the secretaries step forward and are addressed, while the Queen speaks only to the Chiefs of Missions.
Meanwhile the Ladies-in-waiting stand in a row arranged opposite; so do we all remain for over an hour and a half.
In conversation with Pan this evening he let it slip out that the Prince was going to America before long on a secret mission. I have no idea what he is up to. Don't delay, my sweetheart, in announcing our engagement--write me that you love me.
P. S. Really I do not know where Mona Lisa has gone, and I am interested in n.o.body but you, dear.
PRINCE BORIS TO POLLY
_Moscow, December._
A silver plate I send you for bread and cellar for salt, so do Russians give to the Tsar, the Little Father, in token of homage. As the Cossacks say, ”Feed the mouth, the eyes will not be bashful.” I make you gifts, in other words, and you will be ashamed not to look on me with kindness. Often I dream of your eyes, blue as lapis lazuli from the Urals.
From Rome comes news,--you engaged to American diplomat. I cannot believe serious--tell me not true. Lady from Virginia say once, often American girls engage to two, three men all same time--is it so? It may be. Turks and Chinese have several wifes, and lady Laplanders, they have several husbands, _n'est ce pas?_ Is it you write no more because you really serious engage? Your Aunt she say why no, of course; you not know your own mind. Peppi say she wish t.i.tle for you.
But I still wait that little Hummingbird welcome me to New York.
POLLY TO A. D.
_Black Horse Farm, Christmas Morning._
This morning, dearest, what should arrive but the most beautiful roses in the world from you, and in the toe of my Xmas stocking, I found a heavenly diamond engagement-ring! How can I ever thank you enough?
Polly is very proud and happy to wear it. Did Gilet put the little cuff links I sent in your sock, or perhaps you didn't hang one up in the chimney?
A. D., I love you madly--yes, I do, you can't know, you never will know how much. Every day I want to be with you. Whenever I have a good time I say to myself, ”I wish my dear 'Dip' were here to enjoy it, too.” America seems pretty empty with someone I love in beautiful Italy.
Aunt wants news of Peppi, says she hasn't heard from him lately. The Prince sent me a lovely present, and wants to know if you and I are seriously engaged.
I wish I could have seen you do the sword-dance! It takes a lot of courage to tackle Aunt and get her to go back with us to New York and tell of the engagement of a proud little Pagan to a dear diplomat.
Your father sent me a sweet letter from California.
A. D. TO POLLY
_Rome, Christmas Day._
In my dreams last night were all sorts of Christmas things--home and mistletoe and you under it, my love. On my breakfast-tray this morning lay your lovely cuff-links. A thousand thanks,--I shall wear them every day.