Pièce 30 - Letter from Elizabeth des Amorie van der Hoeven to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item: letter with envelope

19 Prinsegracht, the Hague; addressed to Bob at Pension Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi, Italia and forwarded to him c/o B. Berenson, 3. Via Camerata, Firenze. - Bob's last letter is one of his 'very nicest'. Her aunt has been much better again. Has paid some calls this afternoon, including to Mrs de Rhemen, Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht]'s Russian friend; the other old Russian lady [Countess van Rylandt] who knows Bob's parents was also there, and talked to Bessie about church music at Moscow; the rest of the visit was 'stupid & senseless' and Mrs de Rhemen's pet dog has given her a flea; they always come to her, so if she and Bob travel in Italy together he will be left in peace. Next morning, writes that there has been 'a great bustle' in the house as her gift of a 'fine old chestnut cabinet' was set up in her uncle's room; he will store 'all his papers & family reliques' in it as he did in the old one. Is disappointed and indignant that Mrs van Riemsdijk, having told her that they were not prepared to sell Tonina's violin but would let it to Bessie, which she declined knowing she would grow too fond of the instrument and did not want to insist since it had belonged to Mrs van Riemsdijk's husband, wrote to her aunt saying that Tonina had sold her violin abroad and wanted to keep this private. Will probably hear more about the matter from Ambrose [Hubrecht] 'who is her councillor and confident [sic]' and generally takes her side, but otherwise does not want to think about it; Bob's 'dear generous offer' of helping her buy it made the idea all the more precious, though the van Riemsdijks do not know that. Teases Bob for wanting to get back to England quickly to eat some 'beefy British dinners'; he will have a 'foretaste' of her 'dinner-ordering-capacities' when she comes, but she encourages him to stay a little longer if she is to cross on 14 Feb which now seems likely. Has forwarded two letters and a 'big Dorking one to Mr "Treveylan"; asks if this is Mrs Enticknap's spelling; admires her for adding 5 pence for postage abroad. Tells him to write from Florence.