When King Edward died Sir John (as he then was)
wrote to her (May 12th, 1910) :

" What a terrible loss ! ! The Queen asked me to
go to see our dear King on his death-bed. It was so
very, very kind of her, and I felt it so. I went, and
was glad to have one last look at him. He looked just
as if he was well and asleep ! "

The death of King Edward was a real blow to my
mother, for she greatly appreciated the kindness which
he and Queen Alexandra had always shown to her.
Writing to a friend in August, 1907, my mother
said :

" You will see we were sent for to see the Queen.
She was so nice. Kissed me, and showed us all over
her apartments, and such treasures of art, etc. She
said when she first saw the palace she could never enter
so dreadful a place quite Victorian — but now she
delights in it."

In a letter written to Miss Haldane after King
Edward's death is an allusion to a ridiculous rumour
which prevailed in parts of Ireland that he had died a
Roman Catholic.
" Oh what a time it has been," wrote she. " But
everywhere they seem to wish to canonize the poor
King. Ireland is obstreperous in their grief, for they
say he was an R.C. There is nothing like dying to
make one famous. What is the Government about ?
I think the Upper Classes will now have a look in.
270 LADY DOROTHY NEVILL

interesting luncheon party at Charles Street. My kind
souvenir to Miss Nevill, please, and believe me,

Sincerely yours,

H. Hesketh Bell.
