and went to the usual "Grand Hotel." This
time it is very "grand," and very expensive. Mr. Bevan has a terrible
pink boudoir-bedroom, which costs L3 per night, and I have a small room
on the fourth floor, which costs 17s. 6d. without a bath. There is
rather a nice court in the middle of the house, with flowers and a band
and tables for dinner, but the sight of everyone "doing himself well"
always makes me feel a little sick. The wines and liqueurs, and the big
cigars at two shillings each, and the look of repletion on men's faces
as they listen to the band after being fed, somewhat disgust me.

One's instinct is to dislike luxury, but in war-time it seems horrible.
We ourselves will probably have to rough it badly soon, so I don't
mind, but it's a side of life that seems to me as beastly as anything I
know. Fortunately, the luxury of an hotel is minimised by the fact that
there are no "necessaries," and one lives in an atmosphere of open
trunks and bags, with things pulled out of them, which counterbalances
crystal electric fittings and marble floors.

We rested all this morning, lunched out, and in the afternoon went to
have tea with the Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden. They were very
delightful. The British Minister's wife, Lady Isobel Howard, went with
us. The Princess had just finished reading my "Diary of the War," and
was very nice about it. The children, who came in to tea, were the
prettiest little creatures I have ever seen, with curly hair, and faces
like the water-colour pictures of a hundred years ago. The Princess
herself is most attractive, and reminds one of the pictures of Queen
Victoria as a young woman. Her sensitive face is full of expression, and
her colour comes and goes as she speaks of things that move her.

This afternoon we went to tea at the Legation with the Howards. The
House is charmingly situated on the Lake, with lovely trees all about
it. It isn't quite finished yet, but will be very delightful.

_22 October._--It is very strange to find oneself in a country where war
is not going on. The absence of guns and Zeppelins, the well-lighted
streets, and the peace of it all, are quite striking. But the country is
pro-German almost to a man! And it has been a narrow squeak to prevent
war. Even now I suppose one wrong move may lead to an outbreak of
hostilities, and the recent German victories may yet bring in other
countries on her side. Bulgaria has been a glaring instance of siding
wit