1903] The Khedive and Cassel 61 



" Frank Lascelles came to lunch with me in order to meet George, 

 and we had a pleasant talk with Lady Windsor as fourth. 



" Gorst is being married this afternoon to an heiress named Rudd. 

 I did not go to it, though I sent a wedding gift. The Khedive arrived 

 in London yesterday, and is staying with the King's millionaire, Cassel, 

 in Grosvenor Square. 



" 2jth June. — A letter has come from Brewster Bey, saying that the 

 Khedive would like to visit the stud at Crabbet to-morrow. Sunday is 

 an inconvenient day to have chosen, as there are next to no trains. 

 So I have had to order a special one, and telegraph all over the place 

 in preparation. Caffin fortunately was here to-day, and I was able to 

 arrange a programme with him. 



" 28th June (Sunday). — A piping hot day, so we drove over to 

 Crabbet early to make the necessary arangements. We had all the 

 horses dressed and got ready. The house was looking lovely, and, 

 the tenants being away, we had it all to ourselves. Then Judith and 

 Neville arrived from Rake, and with them Marsh, and we lunched at 

 Caxtons, and were lying out to cool in the little lane behind when a 

 telegram arrived. Before I read it I guessed what it must be about. 

 The Khedive in consequence of ' unforeseen circumstances ' could not 

 come, professes his 'profound regret,' etc. It is quite clear that the 

 King has prevented him. My only wonder is that he Was allowed 

 to propose it. So we have had our trouble for nothing. 



" 2gth June. — A letter has come from Brewster confirming his yes- 

 terday's telegram. The Khedive wishes to impress on me the fact 

 that ' the circumstances which prevent his coming are altogether beyond 

 his control,' and reiterates his ' profound regret,' and assures me that if 

 it had been possible to come His Highness would surely have come. 

 The absence of all definite reason given, either of indisposition or other 

 engagement, together with the use of the present tense, ' prevent his 

 coming,' quite clearly indicates a permanent prohibition, and my only 

 doubt is whether it is the Foreign Office or the King that has interfered. 

 I feel pretty certain, however, that it cannot have been a lesser per- 

 sonage than the King himself, acting through Cassel — for the Khedive 

 would hardly be such a goose as to be frightened by Lord Lansdowne, 

 and he is under Cassel's charge, and Cassel is the King's man. How- 

 ever, I am determined to get at the truth of it, and am writing to 

 Brewster to say that ' knowing as I do the kindly feeling His High- 

 ness has for so many years entertained towards me, and remembering 

 the distressing circumstances of his political position, I hold him in no 

 way responsible for the slight offered me, that I thank him for the 

 honour intended, and cordially accept the expression of his regret for 

 an act of discourtesy foreign to his nature, and which only pressure 



