under consideration

From Happy Odyssey, Adrian Carton de Wiart 1950

Of all the lovely country houses, Lancut was outstanding. It had survived the war by a miracle, and was of a splendour that will never be seen again. It was the home of Count Alfred Potocki. His mother, Countess Betak, acted as hostess. Countess Betak was a unique hostess and a remarkable character of world-wie renown : she made Lancut one of the most cought-after centres of society in Europe. It combined everything, from excellent shooting to first-class English hunters, lovely gardens and famous hothouses. At tennis parties the footmen acted s ball boys, and were rumoured to produce the balls on silver salvers. There were about six different dining-rooms, and each evening a different one was chosen for dinner, our host leading the way, with the passages flanked by footmen. In spite of her years Countess Betka seemed the youngest of us all, and every morning when we went out riding, galloping over the country and jumping all the fences, she was invariably the leader.

Many of the other country houses were equally comfortable, but they had not the same grandeur as Lancut.

( page 127 )

London : Cape 1950.