Yours very truly,
Fiona Macleod.
The story was accepted and the first instalment was printed in the Pall Mall Magazine in May, 1904; but after its appearance the author did not care sufficiently for it to republish it in book form.
The Diary continues:
Sunday 4th. Began article on “Thro’ Nelson’s Duchy” commissioned for The Pall Mall Magazine. Received The Monthly Review for Jany. with the Fiona Macleod article, “The Magic Kingdoms”: the Mercure de France for January: and proofs from the Pall Mall Magazine of my articles on Scott and George Eliot. Among several letters one from Mrs. Gilchrist, who says (apropos of F. M.’s “By Sundown Shores”) “she always can send one back to the distance which is all the future.”
Later, after a walk alone I looked in at Villa Bella Rocca and had a pleasant chat with M. et Mme. Grandmont about Anatole France, Loti, and treatment of sea in “Pecheur d’Islande,” Bourget’s and Lenormant’s “Calabria,” etc. Wrote after dinner from 9 till 11; and read some Bacchylides, etc. At 11.15 suddenly some five or six cocks began to crow vehemently: and about five minutes later abruptly stopped.
Monday 5th. A day of perfect beauty. Divinely warm. In morning sat out on Loggia two hours or so working at revision. After lunch Hichens came for me and we walked down to Capo San Andrea and thence took a boat with two men (Francesco and his brother) across to Capo Schiso (Naxos) and thence walked some five or six miles back. Tea at H’s. A divinely lovely sunset.
Tuesday 6th. As beautiful a day as yesterday. More could be said of no day. Worked at “Thro’ Nelson’s Duchy” material, and wrote a letter. A walk after lunch. Then again a little work. Had a charming letter from Joachim Gasquet, and to F. M. one from Stephen Gwynn (with his “Today and Tomorrow in Ireland”)—and an Academy with pleasant para. about F. M. saying just what I would want said (with an allusion to a special study of F. M. in the Harvard Monthly, by the Editor).
This afternoon, the Festa of the Epiphany, more great doings with the delayed Xmas tree treat of the School-children of Taormina. Much enjoyed it.
Thursday 8th. Finished the P. M. Mag. commissioned article “Thro’ Nelson’s Duchy”—about 5,000 words—then revised: marked with directions the 8 fine Photos selected by A. N. H. (Alex. Nelson Hood) and sent off to be registered....