Of the three American ladies who have worn and are wearing the strawberry leaves, perhaps the most interesting, from several points of view, is the lady who is still known to the world as Lilian, Duchess of Marlborough.
Née Miss Price, the future duchess was married when very young to a wealthy American, Mr. Hammersley. His death occurred comparatively soon after the marriage, and he left his young wife his entire fortune. Some years later, she greatly astonished her friends by marrying the then Duke of Marlborough; but, contrary to general expectation, no part of her immense fortune was squandered, for Her Grace proved herself an excellent woman of business, and though considerable sums were spent on putting and keeping Blenheim in repair, it was arranged that an insurance covering the whole amount should, in each case, be effected on the duke's life. Consequently, at his death, his widow found herself an even wealthier woman than she was before she became his wife.
After the late Duke of Marlborough's death, the duchess lived very quietly; but, as she was still a comparatively young woman, her marriage to Lord William Beresford was considered to be, on her part, a very judicious step. Her stepson, the young Duke of Marlborough, gave her away, and she has remained on very good terms with her second husband's family.
Lord William Beresford was believed, until comparatively lately, to be a confirmed Anglo-Indian, for he managed, as Military Secretary, the households of several Viceroys, and he is known, both among Europeans and Indians all over the Queen's Eastern Empire, as a man possessing not only exceptional business capacity, but remarkable savoir faire. He has taken part in many campaigns, and was the prototype of "Soldier Bill" in one of Whyte Melville's best known novels.
Since his marriage, he and his wife have lived at the Deep Dene, Lord Francis Hope's beautiful place near Dorking, and it was there that their infant son was born last year. The duchess has adapted herself completely to the conditions of English country life. The Deep Dene was described by Aubrey as "an epitome of Paradise," and a "Garden of Eden." Accordingly, the lines of Lord William Beresford and his wife are laid in pleasant places. The latter devotes a good deal of her time to the collection and growth of orchids. Under her supervision a fine orchid-house has been erected, and she is fast becoming a formidable rival to the most noted growers in the kingdom.
LADY NAYLOR-LEYLAND.
Alice Hughes, Photo
At the present moment the personality of Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester, as she will henceforth be known, is of peculiar interest. Although the engagement of the young duke was lately announced, his mother is still one of the youngest looking women in society, and she has scarcely changed since the day, twenty-two years ago, when she took London by storm as the bride of Viscount Mandeville, the then Duke of Manchester's eldest son and heir.