“There’s nothing to show that it is reserved,” he answered.
“But I tell you it is,” said the Maharajah. “The omission of the ticket is due to an oversight on the part of the station-master.”
“Well, you haven’t got an option on the train,” the stranger answered rudely, and with these words he began settling himself and his belongings.
“I’m very sorry,” said my husband, “but you must get out.”
“Must I, indeed? We’ll see about that,” retorted the intruder. At this moment the Maharajah’s valet came up the platform, and, horrified at the annoyance we were being caused, he called the guard, who promptly requested the gentleman to go into another compartment. Looking extremely uncomfortable, he called to a porter to take his dressing-case, and as he hurried away he may have heard my husband say: “I’m really very sorry you are so inconvenienced.”
When the Maharajah spoke to King Edward, then Prince of Wales, about our journey and the strange conduct of this man, His Royal Highness was much annoyed.
I could not accept an invitation to Sandringham, as I was in delicate health, and beginning to feel over-fatigued by much travelling. Her Majesty graciously intimated that she wished to be godmother to the expected baby, an honour which we greatly appreciated.
As it was getting cold, the children, in the charge of my brother Profulla, went back to India a few weeks before I did. It was the first time I had an English governess, an English nursery maid, and dear old Mrs. Eldridge. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, I do not know, but every English girl I have had in the house has got married in India; even Mrs. Eldridge left me to marry a station-master. My friends used to tease me and say: “Your house is a regular matrimonial agency; if any one wants to get married, they must come to you.”
The Maharajah wished to do a little hunting, and as I was going all the way by sea, I left my husband in England. When we arrived at Malta H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh came on board to see me, and I much appreciated his kind thought. He talked to me for some time, asked me news of London, and most kindly said he would send his A.D.C. to take me to the Royal Opera that evening, where his box was at my disposal. While we were talking, an old lady, one of the passengers, brought a few flowers for a button-hole, and presented it to H.R.H. How graciously the Duke accepted it, and pinned it on his coat! After the lady had gone I asked the Duke if he knew her, and his answer was “No.” This shows what wonderful manners the Royal Princes have; they can make even perfect strangers feel at ease.