Item 26 - Letter from Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven to R. C. Trevelyan

19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia. - Thinks her aunt is very slightly better; her uncle also seems a little less nervous; they have had the satisfactory news from Florence that Bramine [Hubrecht] arrived last Wednesday to find Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht] had no fever and is improving fast; they are thinking of going to Taormina together on 15 [Jan]; a shame it is not a little later, otherwise Bob might meet them at Naples on the way back. Tells Bob to spend a few days at Florence if he likes to see [Bernard] Berenson; asks if Mrs [Mary] Costelloe is not back then; saw a picture of 'the late Mr [Frank] Costelloe the other day and wondered if he was a relation; thinks it must be 'a curious & rather distorted kind of relation' between Berenson and Mary Costelloe. Asks if Miss D. G. [Lina Duff Gordon] is back in Florence; very glad that Bob is relieved about her after her nice letter; does want to talk to him about the matter since he says there are 'reasons why he ought to have told [Lina about his engagement]' and she wants to understand. Her uncle has sent Bob a Dutch paper containing a letter from the editor to the Duke of Devonshire; is not sure why exactly, but Bob might study some Dutch in it, in order to be 'quite prepared to Vondel' her on his return. Her aunt's birthday is on 15 Jan; would be good if Bob wrote to her, especially as he hasn't wished them for Christmas or New Year. Had a lovely dream last night, in which she and Bob were at Ede and heard a 'wonderful concert of cicala's [sic] in the trees' with which her uncle was quite unimpressed. Returns to the letter next day; really thinks her aunt has improved. Finishes the following day, apologising for having so little of interest to say.