“Baden, 23rd November 1862.
“We are now going to keep open house on Mondays; not regular soirees by invitations, which are always stiff, but we have once for all told the people we know that we are at home on Monday evenings from eight o’clock, so that whoever likes may come. I think that will be charming! At mamma’s side, and as daughter of the house, I shall learn how to associate with people, to entertain them, and to be amiable. I am looking forward to it very much.”
* * * * *
Princess Elizabeth’s first ball was at the Court of Carlsruhe, but she found no real pleasure in such amusements. Her beloved friend, Marie von Bibra, lay on her deathbed. “My heart seemed torn! My brother had died within the year; my friend was struggling with death. And then people were surprised at my being serious and philosophising.” At that time she drove twice a week to the Grand Duchess of Baden at Carlsruhe, to take lessons on the piano from Kalliwoda, and she learned flower-painting from Frau Schoedter. During this time in Baden-Baden there must have been a question of marriages for the Princess, for there is a poem in her journal which ends with these verses:—
A maiden wise would liever
Live free for evermore,
Since, once herself to promise
Brings pain and peril sore.
Only the love that’s deepest
Gives gladness, gives content;
When true love does not touch her
Her looks aside are bent.
And happy is that maiden
At home, unterrified;
With glances shy she gazes
On the great world outside.
Baden, 23rd December 1862.
Translated by Sir Edwin Arnold.