DLA095-0080  Transcription

Sketch, 30 July 1924

One of the most successful gatherings of the last days of London entertainments was the party given by Mr. and Mrs. de Laszlo (or Laszlo de Lombos, as the name appeared on the invitation cards). It was a great success, for everybody seemed to know everybody else—which is not always the case—and the entertainment provided was delightful.

To begin with, the environment was very attractive; the lofty, grey-walled studio, with its pillars of dull-green marble and long curtains of grey plush, made an admirable setting; and here, after a dinner which was attended by the Infanta Beatrice of Spain and her husband among others, there were songs in French, German, and Italian by Mr. Mark Raphael (who, as usual, was lucky enough to have Mr. Roger Quilter, the composer, to accompany him), and Miss Helen Henschel, and the intriguing magic of Mr. Douglas Dexter.

The Infanta Beatrice, who sat in the front row with Princess Nicholas of Greece, wore a green tulle scarf with her green frock; and the other side of the gangway was Princess Andrew of Greece in her favourite white satin, bordered with dark fur; and her two daughters, in jade-green, had some girl friends with them.

Green, by the way, was an easy first favourite among the women present. The Duchess of Wellington wore it, and had a throat-band of velvet to match her dress. Priscilla Lady Annesley was in green, too, and so were Lady Burn and Mrs. Wilfrid Ashley, who carried a monster feather fan of exactly the same bright shade as her gown; while Lady Annesley had a similar one of gay orange.

The Duchess of Portland looked magnificent in a frock of a curious mixture of pink and green, with jewelled embroideries in the two colours. Lord and Lady Bathurst (the latter in dark-blue and gold) were also among the guests; and there were plenty of decorations to be seen on the black coats of the men. The host himself had innumerable miniature medals dangling on a chain from his buttonhole—Continental fashion—and Lord Wester Wemyss was wearing the broad red ribbon of the G.C.B. across his shirt-front.

The Crown Princess of Roumania arrived rather late, but Mr. de Laszlo managed to find seats in front for her party. The second son of the house announced the various items in the programme in quite a happy, informal manner; and the schoolboy member of the family acted as volunteer assistant to the wonderful magician.

MD

11/12/2007