Part 9 (1/2)

The two kings that I have known have had in a high degree both physical and e and have shown a sense of duty unparalleled in the Courts of Europe; it is this that has given them their stability; and added to this their si love

They have been exceptionally fortunate in their private secretaries: Lord Knollys and Lord Stahest honour and discretion; and I am proud to call them my friends

Before I knew the Prince and Princess of Wales, I did not go to fashi+onable balls, but after that Ascot I was asked everywhere I was quite unconscious of it at the ti to criticise htened ht, when I was dining tete-a-tete with my beloved friend, Godfrey Webb, in his flat in Victoria Street, e to ask if I would accompany him to supper at Lord and Lady Randolph Churchill's, where we had been invited to hted if I could keep on the dress that I earing, but as it was late and I had to get up early next day I did not want to change my clothes; he said he supposed h, so we drove to the Randolph Churchills' house together

I had often wanted to know Lord Randolph, but it was only a few days before the supper that I had had the good fortune to sit next to him at dinner When he observed that he had been put next to a ”miss,” he placed his left elbow firh several courses I could not but ad with one hand I do not knohether it was the lady on his right or what it was that prompted him, but he ultimately turned round and asked me if I knew any politicians I told him that, with the exception of himself, I knew the Lord Rosebery--to whom he was devoted--he said:

”Do you know Lord Salisbury?”

I told hiotten his na to meet him; at which he re:

”What do you want to know hi and a very fine writer”

LORD RANDOLPH ( dead at his feet): ”I wish to God that I had NEVER known hined more out of temper than conviction, Lord Randolph” At this he turned co at me, said:

”Confound your cheek! What do you know about nation like a dog at a bone The Tories are ungrateful, short-sighted beasts I hope you are a Liberal?”

I inforht of the Tory party; and we talked through the rest of dinner Towards the end of our conversation he asked me who I was I told him that, after his , it was perhaps better that we should reers However, after a little chaff, we made friends and he said that he would coht of the supper-party, I earing a white muslin dress with transparent che skirt with a Nattier blue taffeta sash I had taken a bunch of rose carnations out of a glass and pinned theiven htful Peeblesshi+re friend and neighbour

On my arrival at the Churchills', I observed all the fine ladies wearing ball-dresses off the shoulder and their tiaras This made ed into so out

The Prince of Wales had not arrived and, as our hostess was giving orders to the White Hungarian Band, my father and I had to walk into the roopainfully sharp ears I heard some of their reown!”

”I suppose it is lishe pictury!' I wonder she has not let her hair down like the Juliets at the Oakham balls!”

Another, more charitable, said:

”I daresay no one told her that the Prince of Wales was co

Poor child! What a sha so odd as the passion some people have for self- advertisement; it only shohat it is to be intellectual!”

At thataccueil

The first time I saw Lady Randolph was at Punchestown races, in 1887, where I ith my new friends, Mrs Bunbury, Hatfield Harter and Peter Flower I was standing at the double when I observed a woman next to me in a Black Watch tartan skirt, braided coat and astrachan hussar's cap She had a forehead like a panther's and great wild eyes that looked through you; she was so arresting that I followed her about till I found some one who could tell me who she was