Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-24
LADY ISABELLA'S ATTEMPTS
TO STOP ROMANCE Barred
Enjoys Wife Opposed Cous-
ms Love for italian
Butler.
NobIeWoman Returns to
England for Final Plea for
FamiIy's Consent.
Rr the Associated press.

BY the Associated Press,
Miss Gytha Stourton, beautiful and
talented daughter of Britain's nobility,
is on her way home to- make a final
plea for her family's consent before
marrying Fiorvanti delAgnese, hand
some italian butler and major domo OF
the old British embassy here.
The socially elect of this Capital,
under whose noses the secret attach
ment was born and blossomed, were
more than mildly shocked when news
of it leaked out Even Miss Stourtons
intimates knew nothing of it.
But in Great Britain's capital there
is woman who has known all about
it for a year. Lady Isabella Howard,
wife of the former Sir Esme, now Lord
Howard of Penrith, retired Ambassador
to the United States was the first in
washington to receive Miss Stourton's
confidence She disapproved. Tt is be-
cause of her plea, joined with that of
the Stourton family. that Miss Stourton
is now en- route to England on the liner
Samaria.
The story is one of purest romance.
Butler Long in Service Of Family.
Cytha Stourton granddaughter
of the fourteenth Duke of Norfolk and
washington In 1924 to be social secre-
tary TO Lady Isabella. One of the first
persons she saw in the embassy here
was Florvanti. the butler
Though only 80 years old, he had been
long in the service of the Howard
family. They had brought him from
, Rome, Sir Esmes previous post, and had
made him sort of manager of the
household. Often in the great rooms
of the embassy he would have cup
of tea with the Ambassador and Lady
Isabella.
He is said to speak eight languages.
and has travelled widely with the
Howard family.
Gytha was % when she came to
Washington. She became friendly with
Fiorvanti Immediately, in the formal
atmosphere of the embassy. He as
sisted her with the difficult business of
seating embassy guests at the formal
social events in the evening He often
called for her and her escort In an
embassy automobile.
A year ago the friendship ripened
into more affectionate regard Miss
Stourton's confidant was Lady Isabella,
with whom she has deep friendship.
The Ambassadors wife was shocked.
She suggested that Miss Stourton go
to live with friend while giving the
romance further consideration. This
was agreed upon, and for the past year
the English girl has lived with Miss
Gladys r. Goring, a friend of the
Howards, who conducts school here.
Throughout the year the romance
persisted Though Fiorvanti never
went to the Goring home, Miss Stourton
saw him daily in the embassy, and they
met occasionally outside. Though she
listened to counsel against 1t, her de-
termination to marry Fiorvanti remain
ed intact.
When the Towards returned to Eng
land last February. Miss Stourton
stayed on in Washington. She told her
friends she was contemplating taking
another diplomatic position here
Fiorvanti remained to pack the furni-
ture.
Again Gets Adverse Counsel.
Once more Lady Isabella and Miss
Stourton's family counseled against
the match. She agreed to return to
England to talk 1t over, but maintained
to the day she sailed that she was go
ing only to make final plea for per-
mission
Both Miss Stourton and Del'Agnese
are Catholics The Barony OF Stour-
ton. of which family she is a member,
is the oldest surviving barony created
by the letters patent Miss Stourton's
grandfather was the nineteenth Baron
of Stourton, Twenty-second Baron of
Mowbray. twenty-third Baron of Sc
grave and senior co-heir of the Earl
dom of Norfolk. He was senior co-heir
in the Baronies of Cover. Greystock,
Darce of Gillesland, Ferries of Wemme,
Verdon and Clifford of Brommesfield.
as we'll as co-heir of the Baronies of
Kerdeston. Dogworth, Fitz-Payne and
Argtine. Miss Stourton's father. Mai.
Herbert Stourtbn, has held diplomatic
posts throughout his career in the
British Army.