The Washington times., 1920-08-29

When was formally introduced to society in London
as the prospective Duchess OF Newcastle wore for the
first time, the great diamond
This was dinner given by Lord Alfred de Rothschild
1t was my first society recognition and my presence
caused great sensation.
The Prince Of Wales to be guest but he arrived
late When he came in there already tacit agree
ment among the others that they would snub poor little
May Yohe The Countess de Mannin walked by me with
her nose upraised looking quite superclliousy
The Duchess Of Edinburgh, whose husband had just
cepted the of the grand duchy Of Gotha
walked up to me, looked at and walked away stiff
as You please
But when the Prince came in what did he do but walk
straight up to me. When curtseycd he said:
80 glad Lady May, to see you here Now know
we won't be dull don't know where they have put me,
but hope they have put you beside me-"
OF course there q scurrying about to see that
was placed beside him. Then it funny how the
Countess dc Mannn and the Duchess of Gotha
fawned upon me- My readers may be assured snubbed
About o'clock in the morning, the dinner still in
progress said to the Princes My goodness is getting
late and have Rehearsal at 10 o'clock. I've got to
60 home"
"But can get up said the Prince.
whats tho matteri Are you glued to your chairi"
my dear little lady," said the Prince, "dont you
know my brother the Duke of Coburg Gotha, is reign.
ing monarch and no one can get up until he does
But watt III nx H.
He caught the eye Of the Duke and made sign. The
Duke rose at once The Prince then got up took arm
and led me to the stairway and down the steps,
After that was popular Lady Francis Hope in
society as was as May Yohe on the stage
I was very happy when l went home that morning
with the Hope Diamond blazing about my neck
My experiences in London society will make chapter
of this story all by itself am going to tell about them
a little later on want to tell now after describing
Lord Francis entry into my e how differently the other
entered it-how Putnam Bradlee Strong the Beau Brum-
MEL the cosmopolitan and roue came, lured by the Hope
Diamond and his hopes Of acquiring 1t and others OF my
costly jewels.
London society led miserable, artificial life. There
was some good In Il and great deal of bad and nder
emit Everything seemed to be built around prestige
and "sets' A duchess of course, always honorcd
and courted above mere baroness "lady But il the
baroness or the "lady" friend Of the Prince of
Wales or some one of the royal family then society curt
seyed to the duchess but coured the baroness the
"lady."
The glamor Of this social prestige wore away was
happy however with my husband despite certain short
comngs Of which, suppose every good man must have
his share Lord Francis liked to read great deal-he
used to read book when thought he ought to be read
ing me- He liked to hunt too-and often felt that
he might have spent Of the time hunting ways to
enamor me that he spent hunting Of trapping ami
mails or catching fish.
In 1900 l was finishing trip around the world with
Lord Frsncisa trip shall tell Of later which brought
me much aduAtion and lavish entertainment. During
this trip met many famous men, and some OF them OBJ
tanned Lord Francis permission to make presents Cap
tain James Hoford Of the Horse Guards, for instance
NJ Frsnoia hoard the Hope Yacht ut