We
were in touch with them all, and they were all good-natured and amiable.
Society in Trieste did not care whether you were rich or poor, whether
you received or did not receive; it only asked you to be nice, and it
opened its arms to you. I dare say my visiting list, private and
consular, comprised three hundred families; but we had our own little
_clique intime_, which was quite charming, and included some sixty or
seventy persons.
"We women had what Richard used to call 'hen parties' (_Kaffee
gesellschaft_), which is really five o'clock tea, where we would dance
together, play, sing, recite, and have refreshments; but a man, except
the master of the house, was never seen at these gatherings. _En
revanche_, we had plenty of evening entertainments for both sexes.
"Some curious little local customs still lingered at Trieste. One of
them was, when two friends or relations met in society, after embracing
affectionately, they were wont to drop one another an elaborate curtsey.
The visiting hours were from twelve till two, an impossible time; and
men were expected to call in white cravats, kid gloves and evening dress.
When I first came to Trieste, I was often invited _en intime_ to
afternoon tea, and was told to come 'just as you are, my dear.' I took
the invitation literally of course; and when I arrived, I used to find
the other ladies _decolletees_, and blazing with diamonds. I remember
feeling very awkward at appearing in an ordinary costume, but my hostess
said to me, 'You know, my dear, we are so fond of our jewels; it gives
us pleasure to dress even for one another; but do not do it if it bores
you.
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