Ihad all day to pick up my painting, which I did. I wandered around the West and and the City and, at Wardour Street, I came across a Count Lascelles who was a Germam Pole but acting under a ‘nom de plume’ of a French Count. He had a ‘costumiers pas de dames’

I showed him some samples of my work. He expressed great admiration for it. He had a grace of manner which made one feel instantly at ease with him and he was distinguished enough to be a prince of the realm.He bought for cash all that I had in my small attache case and he requested that I call again at an early date with as much as I could bring to has salon - which I naturally did very soon as Frank was away all day and I had very little to occupy me.

We then had a flat at St Georges Road, Cricklewood.

The next time I went to Count Lascelles, I took one of my white chiffon sunshades I also filled my little case with sparkled, painted ribbons and a bluebird applique (a flight of birds) ready to sew on a hat.

Mr Lascelles was more than delighted and became quite excited, praising me and calling to his lady assistant. She appeared - a doll like figure dressed beautifully in navy blue brocaded silk - hair marvelously groomed - blond and high heeled shoes with brilliants on the long narrow heels. He fetched out of a cupboard a smart costume - olive green and tailor made; also a navy blue coat and a shirt with buttons covered in leather fastening down the front and light fitting. He requested madame to help me try these on.

I said. “No - no - I cannot buy them - they are priceless.”

“I wish no money - not at all,” he said, “ I purchase things from you and you take the costumes.”

With a lot of argument, I at last consented to the arrangement her put forth as I could do nothing else. I accepted the two costumes which he said he would send to our flat at St Georges Road. Kilburn. He credited me with so much cash which left me with very little to pay. I could pay in kind - such as more painting on one of his evening gowns.   He repeated the  

arrangement on several occasions until he owed me money and seemed very glad to pay it to me.

He had the tiniest dog I had ever seen - some special breed, a type of King Charles terrier and he often said it was the only thing that loved him for himself.

I got a bit nervous going there - why - I cannot say - but it seemed so weird and unusual. I took my mother once when I was delivering some work I had done. He made much of her and told her that she had a charming daughter. When we went away, my mother said how charming he was.

Frank was very pleased to see the beautiful costumes I had and said that I had earned them. I did not go to see Mr Lascelles for nearly a month. Then I felt I ought to go as he had been so kind in buying my things and seemed so glad to see me. When I arrived at Wardour Street and came upon his salon, it was closed up so I called in next door and the madame there said, “Wouldn’t you know? He is no more - “

“What do you mean?” I said.

She said, “Surely you must have heard that he shot himself after being arrested as a spy. A police officer asked him to go with them before a tribunal and he said, “Yes I will come - I make no bother.”

She continued, “ He asked at the railway station to go to the toilet and when he got there, he pulled out a tiny revolver and shot himself - dying immediately!!’

He evidently knew it was hopeless. Afterwards I learned that the little madame that I saw in his shop was his mistress. She got engaged to another man and told him all about Mr Lascelles and gave him away.

I felt so upset and it put a gloom over me for weeks. I went home and did not want to sell anymore of my painting. Frank and I talked it over and we both felt deeply sorry. Mr Lascelles apparently had been in the pay of the Kaiser. I do not think he did much spying. It was just his way to get to England and have a good time.