like a band of rebels — the Prince of Wales and the weekend guests; we worked for hours, and with Thelma and Connie I left the men to pursue their revolt against the laurel branches, and when they returned to the Fort after us, fatigue had got the better of everyone!..

After lunch the Prince took me, with Ernest, on a tour of the house; he wanted us to see every piece inside his rooms, and he was proud of his little library, which contains some pieces written by Queen "Anne".. His room on the ground floor was splendid, with red curtains hanging against the white walls, its windows looking out on the gardens and the groves..

At the end of the day the Prince left his guests and, in the gardener's company, made the round of the remaining grounds, not returning before dark; I heard him knock loudly at the door and then grow quiet in his private room... A little later I heard the door open again, and

Thelma told me he had gone off to take his steam bath.. I had not expected to hear of a steam bath here; but I believed the report when I saw the Prince appear among us again with a rosy face, radiant with gaiety and contentment.

So ended our first visit to the Prince's Fort, and from it I retained what I had never expected to learn in all my life about the Prince's strange way of living...

Hardship spread over England in 1932, as it spread to other countries; Ernest's work at the office increased, and I fell ill during the summer. The "ulcer" in my stomach caused me agonizing pain, and I remained under the doctor's watch for several weeks; and I believe this illness in particular came as a result of nerves and pent-up feeling.

We visited the Fort twice in the autumn: once we were invited to tea, and the second time to spend the weekend.. And in the first three months of 1933 we were invited to spend several days at the Fort, at Thelma's suggestion, I believe.. this before we traveled to the United States. Of course Thelma was always there, and so was Prince George, whom I found charming: he plays the piano well, knows the latest jazz tunes by heart, and is equally good at slipping away from our gatherings to seclude himself out of sight.. And here I declare, with every assurance, that if the Prince had begun to incline toward me in this period, I at least knew nothing of it.

I sailed with Ernest for America on the

"Mauretania" in the month of March, and before we reached the Isle of "Wight" I caught sight of a messenger hurrying toward us with a telegram in his hand, signed Edward.. wishing us a pleasant voyage and a speedy return to England.. And I ascertained afterward, from the