The Washington times., 1920-12-12

the company was Don Jaime de Bourbon,
son Of Don Caslos de Bourbon. pretender
to the Spanish throne chief by seniority
OF the family of which King Alfonso of
Spain is but a younger member.
knew Don Jaime WELL When finished
speaking he remarked maliciously:
Bravo! That was papa"
So I had enjoyed a chance acquaintance
with Don Carlos, head of Europes most
ancient royal family. and had ridiculed
him before his own son. At this stage of
my social career had passed beyond the
weakness of being embarrassed. laughed
and said:
Delighted! You must introduce me to
him"
with pleasure, Countess" replied Don
jaime
Within few weeks returned to Venice
with PARTY OF Cannes friends armed with
letters OF Introduction to His Royal High.
ness Don Carlos de Bourbon, Duke OF
Madrid. and other important personages.
He called upon me promptly. and far from
showing any embarrassment at our pre-
gusto.
Within three days I was invited to a
great dinner at Don Carlos's palace In
Venice, the historic Palazzo Loredano one
Of the most beautiful and historic buildings
Of the city, the former home OF one of the
most fllustrious Venetian doges. Don
Carlos lived there with his second wife,
the Princess Berthe de Rohan, but he
amused himself by wandering forth day
and night in search of adventures at such
places as the hotel where first met him
and at less reputable resorts. Faithful ad.
herents Of the House Of Bourbon had to
follow him at such times in order that he
might not fall into dangerous predicaments.
Don Carlos had ever been an incurable
seeker after gallant adventure. I heard
that In his youth he had lost his best op.
Iortunfty to wrest the crown OF Spain
from King Alfonso's father through this
popularity. A great Carlist rebellion was
progressing magnifcently, and in order to
take full advantage OF conditions It was
necessary for the Carlist forces to make a
hurried march on Madrid. Don Carlos's
lteutenants begged him to march on all
night In order to make sure OF this oppor.
tunity to regain the throne Of his fathers.
But that very evening the gay prince had
an engagement with farmers pretty
daughter, and he refused to let war or
throne interfere with a matter Of supreme
importance-an affair Of the heart
To me Don Carlos was exceedingly grac-
tous. His Royal Highness introduced me
TO an interesting circle of exiled Spanish
royalty and nobility, including several
princes and Processes OF his house, and
also the Duke OF Camastra, the Duke of
Tamames and other great noblemen who
adhered to the cause of the de jure King
OF Spain. Picturesque grandees OF Spain
they were, graceful and dfgnifled In man.
ner, singularly In harmony with the roman
tic surroundings OF Venice Little did
think, and little did I care, what depths Of
iniquity lay beneath many a polished ex-
terror.
Among those I met In the encourage OF
Don Carlos was very strange person, the
Duke or Aguilar. He was, I learned,
grandee Of Spain by birth, and yet he did
not appear to be on a social equality with
the other nobility. He was rarely invited
to grand entertainments, and while the
others knew him, they avoided his society.
He was a dsrk-faced, gloomy man, with
tragic, hunted expression. With his
broadbrimmed SLOUGH hat and his Spanish
cloak thrown pcturesquely over his shout
ders, he looked a true character Of me-
diaeval romance Socially he was a most
interesting man, a brilliant talker and
splendid musician.
SO enchanted was I with Venice that
leased palace there, facing on the Grand
Canal. Those dark, tragic waters knew
to be the grave OF an uncountable host OF
human beings. Some had been drowned,