Whilst chatting merrily to us as we sipped the fragrant tea she had ordered for our refreshment, the prima donna was willing to answer the many questions we put to her on the subject of her household goods.
The drawing-room.
From a Photo. by Elliott & Fry.
"There will be much for you to see tomorrow, after you have rested," she says, laughingly. "But meanwhile, I see your eyes are stealing their way to that marble bust in the corner. It is supposed to be me, but bears more resemblance to someone else, I think! You will find a truer likeness of me in Mr. Sant's picture, which was presented to me by the committee of the Swansea Hospital a few years ago, and which I naturally prize very much, as so many kind friends contributed to the gift. That cabinet in the corner of the room tains all my most valuable souvenirs, and among others you will find a ruby brace- let given by the Queen of England, some long oman earrings sent to me by Mario and Grisi, who used to be good friends of mine in the days that are no more; and many other treasures. The beautiful bust on the table by the window, bearing the inscription, 'Time is Money,' was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. de Young, of San Francisco, and the laurel wreath, studded with diamonds and engraved with all the names of my favourite rôles, came from some other kind friends in that part of the world. This silver casket, also traced with a kindly inscription, was bestowed upon me by my confrères at Vienna, after I had sung in a charity performance at the great Opera House."
The drawing-room.
From a Photo. by Walery.
Whilst the diva was talking, our eyes wandered round the tasteful room crowded with so many pretty bibelots and hung with delicate blue and silver brocade, to an open
