DLA015-0075  Translation

VALLIÈRE

MORTEFONTAINE

OISE

14 April 1924

Dear friend,

We have settled here for the Easter holidays, I assume until 28th April.

When are you thinking of coming to Paris?

Recently, the Duchesse de Montmorency telephoned to ask. The Comtesse de la Rochefoucauld (née Fels)^[1] also wants to invite you for dinner. We have just received in Paris the visit of the Roumanian sovereigns.^[2] The Queen had a tremendous success of beauty and elegance. The Comtesse de Noailles, the portrait of whom you made for the Luxembourg [4472], is honoured by the friendship of the Queen and the portrait she possesses, painted by you [5144], had a vivid success.^[3] But recently, sadly, a stain of varnish damaged it. The Comtesse de Noailles wants

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to consult you on this point before doing anything but I assume that under your instructions Fidèle could sort this out!- So as soon as you return to Paris the Comtesse de Noailles will come and have dinner at ours to meet you and make arrangements.

Tell me when you are thinking of coming. The comtesse asked me to tell you with which satisfaction she heard of the success of your knowledgeable son!

I hope that you are resting a little bit, but I do not dare believe it! Paris is getting ready for splendid Olympic games – I was in charge of the Degas exhibition. I hope you will see it at the Galerie Petit. It finishes on 2 May.^[4]

Believe me, dear friend and master, as well as Mrs de László, yours ever.

GreffulheGuiche

Editorial Note:

Duchesse de Gramont, née Elaine Hélène de Greffulhe (1882-1958), wife of 12th duc; for biographical notes, see [8804].

CC

17/03/2006