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writer Y. whose imprisonment by the Fascists came to us as a very great surprise. Y. is of all people the most enigmatic. Her personality is based on such elusive qualities as allow of no definition. It [[strikethrough]] were [[/strikethrough]] would be useless to say of her "she is this; she is that." Yet her writings suggest one who thinks with delicate precision. In practice her life would seem wanting in ideals, but in theory her mind finds heights when directed to social or political questions. ""Le beau geste" should apply to great nations no less that to great individuals" she once said to me. In this respect England had disappointed her. I know that she entertains no particular liking for Italians, yet seemingly she sides with them. Y. is now with the Blue Sisters (a hospital). She was imprisoned, but for a few hours only. From her bed she writes long letters to the Countess expressing her certainty of a speedy release and the clearing up of what she calls "a cruel misunderstanding". Yet one asks, why did she allow her son, also in prison, to receive his anti-Fascist friends in her home?

October 15th. The Communist movement is taking form. This morning one of our neighbours went to answer a ring at the door and found herself confronted by three men, ex-soldiers, who demanded food. She gave them money and advised them to apply to the authorities for work, whereupon one of the men threw the money in her face and, pointing a