They crossed to Trieste the following day, having been absent
more than four months.
They remained at Trieste until July 1, when they started for their
last summer trip. The heat in Trieste during July and August is almost
insupportable. They went to Innsbruck, Zurich, Davos Platz, Regatz,
and other places. They were counting the months to the day when Burton
would complete his term in the Consular Service, and would be permitted
to retire on his pension. From Zurich Lady Burton wrote to a friend[6]:
"We go back (D.V.) September 1 or thereabouts, stay three months, and
then winter in Greece and Constantinople. In March Dick's service is
ended, and between that and August we pack up, settle our affairs, and
come home for good. In one sense I am glad, because he yearns for a
little flat in London; we shall be in the land of good advice and
nourishment; and, God willing, I shall have brought him home safe and
sound after thirty years' perils and dangers by health and land and sea.
On the other hand, it is a wrench to give up my nice home. I have the
whole of the second and top floor now, and I have made it so pretty, and
I love Trieste and the life of my friends. I don't know how I shall
concentrate myself and my belongings into a vulgar little flat--on
small means. If you see any flat likely to suit us, let me know."
It was during this time in Switzerland that Burton made his wife his
literary executrix.
Pages:
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337