The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-23
THE KING
AND MRS. GEORGE KEPPEL
ny LA MARaUIsE DE FONTENOY.
~ n RS. GEORGE kEPPEL'S name
NE has figured SO conspicuously in
|lVl the public press dug ing the

ny LA MARaUIsE DE FoNTENOY.
n RS GEORGE kEPPEL'S name
NE has figured so conspicuously in
lVl the public press duSing the
past two weeks in ca ncc,ion
with the late King Edward that it
to the fact that she has during the
last six or seven years been frequent
guest at 9andringham, and any one
disposed to question this assertion can
quickly set at rest his doubts by turn
ing over the files of the London IL
Illustrated News and Graphic. in which
he will find reproduced photographs of
Sandringham house parties. in which
them. standing alongside Queen Alex
andra: in another with her hand rest
ing on the back of the chair on which
is seated the then Princess of Wales.
and on another, In which she is seated
beside Princess Victoria.
Now. Mrs. keppel would never have
been permitted to cross the threshold
at Sandringham had there been the
slightest foundation for the insinua-
tions contained in the gossip which
the foreign and American press.
have especially in mind the recent dis
patch from London giving a descrip-
ton of an alleged meeting between
buckingham Palace. at the entrance of
the throne room. in which the late
sovereign's body lay in state, and de-
claring that the encounter was "a most
awkward contretemps." for which pal
ace officials were severely blamed"
and asserting that Queen Alexandra
bore up bravely under the shock and
conducted herself under the trying cir
cumstances with the utmost gener-
osity and dignity"
Now, why should the widowed Queen
be shocked to meet woman whom
she has had so frequently as her guest.
not only at Windsor Castle. but at her
country home at Sandringham. and
that. too. within the last few months?
And for what reason should the en-
counter between the two. at the bier
of Edward VII. be set down as "a
most awkward contretemps"?
Alexandra. with all her gentle kind
ness. can be very determined. and even
stern, when occasion arises, as more
than one matron of high degree has
experienced to her cost. And more
a horror Of everything in the nature
of scandal, is very smuch alive to all
that goes on around her. while her
cleverness is perhaps most eloquently
demonstrated by the fact that in
she first came from Denmark to Eng
land. as youthful bride. still in her
teens. no single mistake. not one error
In Judgment not even the smallest
mTanque de tact, can be laid at her
Queen Alexandra. who had excluded
from her circle in London women
whose conduct. had been such as to-
contract her disapproval or who BY
for popular criticism, would for one
moment tolerate beneath. the roof Of
her dearly loved home at Sandringham,
with her daughter, Victoria, and among
her young grandchildren, any fair
guest who was really subject to re-
proach?
Snndingham, the Inner Shrine.
Moreover the late King. while his
acquaintance extended to all sorts and
conditions Of people. belonging to every
conceivable walk in life. was extreme
y careful about those whom he
his daughters and his grandchildren.
He had plenty of friends. with whom
he dined In London. en- .garcon. some
of them women Enthusiastically a
Englishman-who attended court. but
who never in their lives were at Sand
bingham, despite all reports to the
contrary which they inspired for home
CONSUMPTION. But 1t was only the
eyes of the late King and Of his con-
sort and who We're entirely agree
able to the latter, who We're ever in
vlted to sandringham.
Among those whom Queen Alexan-
Via was WONT TO lHVdFlaDly tIuCluueI III
the house parties given In celebration
of her husbands birthday and OF her
own birthday. were the late Consuelo,
Duchess of Manchester Miss Jane
Thornhill and Mrs. George keppel. Tho
widowed duchess was very old and
valued American friend Of the royal
couple, who first excited their sympa-
thy and good will by the quiet bravery
with which she bore the many trials
of her married life. and the forbear-
ance with which she refrained from
provoking a public scandal by appeal
Ing to the divorce courts for relief.
She was a most gifted musician. which,
OF course appealed to Queen AleXan-
dra: was very bright and amusing, and
during all the years of her intimacy
with her royal friends, learned to
know. perhaps better than any one else
their .foibles, their views their tastes
and their prejudices--and to humor
them. Miss Thornhill Is an elderly
spinster, a sister of the widowed Lady
Burton, and renowned as the best
bridge player in England, She was the
late Kings favorite partner at his
pest prandlal. rubber and did not hest,
tate to round upon him in the most
outspoken and amusing fashion when
his play was not to her liking. AS
regards Mrs. Keppel, rather. hand
some woman of over forty, she had the
merit In King Edwards eyes of being
always in 80 CHEEKY and infectious a
good humor that 1t was difficult for.
him to remain gloomy or low snirited
In her company. Ads to this that she