Page:Marie Corelli - the writer and the woman (IA mariecorelliwrit00coat).pdf/343

 of white chiffon and lace, she was one of the most unobtrusively dressed ladies present, as she wore no jewels, and had nothing indeed about her costume that could attract the slightest attention, though she was the "observed of all observers" at the luncheon held in the House of Peers after the Abbey ceremonial, not for her dress, but for her fame.

Another incident may be aptly quoted here. When the King was attacked by his serious illness, the enterprising manager of a newspaper press agency made haste to write to Miss Corelli saying that it was necessary to "prepare for the worst," and would she therefore write her "impressions" of the King,—which meant, of course, an obituary notice! To which the novelist replied with considerable warmth that she had too much immediate concern for the dangerous condition of her Sovereign, as well as too much honor for him, to "make trade" for the newspapers by writing "obituary notices" of his life before he was dead! By the grace of God, she said, he would be spared to the Throne for many good and happy years to come. Such is the real spirit of the woman whom her more than malicious enemies accuse of "disloyalty" and "desire for advertisement." It is a satisfaction to give a few truths of her real disposition as opposed to the unfounded falsehoods that are circu