Manynationsarerepresented,manylanguagesspoken,manycostumesworn,andonasunnydaythespectacleisasgayandbrilliantasacarnival.
HaughtyEnglish,livelyFrench,soberGermans,handsomeSpaniards,uglyRussians,meekJews,free–and–easyAmericans,alldrive,sit,orsaunterhere,chattingoverthenews,andcriticizingthelatestcelebritywhohasarrived––RistoriorDickens,VictorEmmanuelortheQueenoftheSandwichIslands.
Theequipagesareasvariedasthecompanyandattractasmuchattention,especiallythelowbasketbarouchesinwhichladiesdrivethemselves,withapairofdashingponies,gaynetstokeeptheirvoluminousflouncesfromoverflowingthediminutivevehicles,andlittlegroomsontheperchbehind.
Alongthiswalk,onChristmasDay,atallyoungmanwalkedslowly,withhishandsbehindhim,andasomewhatabsentexpressionofcountenance.
HelookedlikeanItalian,wasdressedlikeanEnglishman,andhadtheindependentairofanAmerican––acombinationwhichcausedsundrypairsoffeminineeyestolookapprovinglyafterhim,andsundrydandiesinblackvelvetsuits,withrose–coloredneckties,buffgloves,andorangeflowersintheirbuttonholes,toshrugtheirshoulders,andthenenvyhimhisinches.
Therewereplentyofprettyfacestoadmire,buttheyoungmantooklittlenoticeofthem,excepttoglancenowandthenatsomeblondegirlinblue.
Presentlyhestrolledoutofthepromenadeandstoodamomentatthecrossing,asifundecidedwhethertogoandlistentothebandintheJardinPublique,ortowanderalongthebeachtowardCastleHill.
Thequicktrotofponies'feetmadehimlookup,asoneofthelittlecarriages,containingasingleyounglady,camerapidlydownthestreet.
criedAmy,droppingthereinsandholdingoutbothhands,tothegreatscandalizationofaFrenchmamma,whohastenedherdaughter'ssteps,lestsheshouldbedemoralizedbybeholdingthefreemannersofthese'madEnglish'.
"Ihavesomuchtosay,Idon'tknowwheretobegin!Getinandwecantalkatourease.Iwasgoingforadriveandlongingforcompany.Flo'ssavingupfortonight."
"AChristmaspartyatourhotel.TherearemanyAmericansthere,andtheygiveitinhonoroftheday.You'llgowithus,ofcourse?Auntwillbecharmed."
askedLaurie,leaningbackandfoldinghisarms,aproceedingwhichsuitedAmy,whopreferredtodrive,forherparasolwhipandbluereinsoverthewhiteponiesbacksaffordedherinfinitesatisfaction.
"I'mgoingtothebankersfirstforletters,andthentoCastleHill.Theviewissolovely,andIliketofeedthepeacocks.Haveyoueverbeenthere?"
"Yes,IspentamonththereandthenjoinedhiminParis,wherehehassettledforthewinter.Hehasfriendsthereandfindsplentytoamusehim,soIgoandcome,andwegetoncapitally."
Iamoftenwithhim,andheenjoysmyadventures,whileIliketofeelthatsomeoneisgladtoseemewhenIgetbackfrommywanderings.Dirtyoldhole,isn'tit?"
WhileLaurielistlesslywatchedtheprocessionofpriestsundertheircanopies,white–veilednunsbearinglightedtapers,andsomebrotherhoodinbluechantingastheywalked,Amywatchedhim,andfeltanewsortofshynessstealoverher,forhewaschanged,andshecouldnotfindthemerry–facedboysheleftinthemoody–lookingmanbesideher.
Hewashandsomerthaneverandgreatlyimproved,shethought,butnowthattheflushofpleasureatmeetingherwasover,helookedtiredandspiritless––notsick,norexactlyunhappy,butolderandgraverthanayearortwoofprosperouslifeshouldhavemadehim.
Shecouldn'tunderstanditanddidnotventuretoaskquestions,sosheshookherheadandtouchedupherponies,astheprocessionwoundawayacrossthearchesofthePaglionibridgeandvanishedinthechurch.
"Quepensez–vous?"shesaid,airingherFrench,whichhadimprovedinquantity,ifnotinquality,sinceshecameabroad.
"Thatmademoisellehasmadegooduseofhertime,andtheresultischarming,"repliedLaurie,bowingwithhishandonhisheartandanadmiringlook.
Sheblushedwithpleasure,butsomehowthecomplimentdidnotsatisfyherlikethebluntpraisesheusedtogiveherathome,whenhepromenadedroundheronfestivaloccasions,andtoldhershewas'altogetherjolly',withaheartysmileandanapprovingpatonthehead.
"Ifthat'sthewayhe'sgoingtogrowup,Iwishhe'dstayaboy,"shethought,withacurioussenseofdisappointmentanddiscomfort,tryingmeantimetoseemquiteeasyandgay.
AtAvigdor'sshefoundtheprecioushomelettersand,givingthereinstoLaurie,readthemluxuriouslyastheywounduptheshadyroadbetweengreenhedges,wheretearosesbloomedasfreshlyasinJune.
"Bethisverypoorly,Mothersays.IoftenthinkIoughttogohome,buttheyallsay'stay'.SoIdo,forIshallneverhaveanotherchancelikethis,"saidAmy,lookingsoberoveronepage.
"Ithinkyouareright,there.Youcoulddonothingathome,anditisagreatcomforttothemtoknowthatyouarewellandhappy,andenjoyingsomuch,mydear."
Hedrewalittlenearer,andlookedmorelikehisoldselfashesaidthat,andthefearthatsometimesweighedonAmy'sheartwaslightened,forthelook,theact,thebrotherly'mydear',seemedtoassureherthatifanytroubledidcome,shewouldnotbealoneinastrangeland.
PresentlyshelaughedandshowedhimasmallsketchofJoinherscribblingsuit,withthebowrampantlyerectuponhercap,andissuingfromhermouththewords,'Geniusburns!'.
Lauriesmiled,tookit,putitinhisvestpocket'tokeepitfromblowingaway',andlistenedwithinteresttothelivelyletterAmyreadhim.
"ThiswillbearegularlymerryChristmastome,withpresentsinthemorning,youandlettersintheafternoon,andapartyatnight,"saidAmy,astheyalightedamongtheruinsoftheoldfort,andaflockofsplendidpeacockscametroopingaboutthem,tamelywaitingtobefed.
WhileAmystoodlaughingonthebankabovehimasshescatteredcrumbstothebrilliantbirds,Laurielookedatherasshehadlookedathim,withanaturalcuriositytoseewhatchangestimeandabsencehadwrought.
Hefoundnothingtoperplexordisappoint,muchtoadmireandapprove,foroverlookingafewlittleaffectationsofspeechandmanner,shewasassprightlyandgracefulasever,withtheadditionofthatindescribablesomethingindressandbearingwhichwecallelegance.
Alwaysmatureforherage,shehadgainedacertainaplombinbothcarriageandconversation,whichmadeherseemmoreofawomanoftheworldthanshewas,butheroldpetulancenowandthenshoweditself,herstrongwillstillhelditsown,andhernativefranknesswasunspoiledbyforeignpolish.
Lauriedidnotreadallthiswhilehewatchedherfeedthepeacocks,buthesawenoughtosatisfyandinteresthim,andcarriedawayaprettylittlepictureofabright–facedgirlstandinginthesunshine,whichbroughtoutthesofthueofherdress,thefreshcolorofhercheeks,thegoldenglossofherhair,andmadeheraprominentfigureinthepleasantscene.
Astheycameupontothestoneplateauthatcrownsthehill,Amywavedherhandasifwelcominghimtoherfavoritehaunt,andsaid,pointinghereandthere,"DoyouremembertheCathedralandtheCorso,thefishermendraggingtheirnetsinthebay,andthelovelyroadtoVillaFranca,Schubert'sTower,justbelow,andbestofall,thatspeckfarouttoseawhichtheysayisCorsica?"
"Yes,"wasallhesaid,butheturnedandstrainedhiseyestoseetheislandwhichagreaterusurperthanevenNapoleonnowmadeinterestinginhissight.
"Takeagoodlookatitforhersake,andthencomeandtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingwithyourselfallthiswhile,"saidAmy,seatingherself,readyforagoodtalk.
Butshedidnotgetit,forthoughhejoinedherandansweredallherquestionsfreely,shecouldonlylearnthathehadrovedabouttheContinentandbeentoGreece.
Soafteridlingawayanhour,theydrovehomeagain,andhavingpaidhisrespectstoMrs.Carrol,Laurieleftthem,promisingtoreturnintheevening.
Shehadseenheroldfriendinanewlight,notas'ourboy',butasahandsomeandagreeableman,andshewasconsciousofaverynaturaldesiretofindfavorinhissight.
TarlatanandtullewerecheapatNice,sosheenvelopedherselfinthemonsuchoccasions,andfollowingthesensibleEnglishfashionofsimpledressforyounggirls,gotupcharminglittletoiletteswithfreshflowers,afewtrinkets,andallmannerofdaintydevices,whichwerebothinexpensiveandeffective.
Itmustbeconfessedthattheartistsometimesgotpossessionofthewoman,andindulgedinantiquecoiffures,statuesqueattitudes,andclassicdraperies.
But,dearheart,weallhaveourlittleweaknesses,andfinditeasytopardonsuchintheyoung,whosatisfyoureyeswiththeircomeliness,andkeepourheartsmerrywiththeirartlessvanities.
"IdowanthimtothinkIlookwell,andtellthemsoathome,"saidAmytoherself,assheputonFlo'soldwhitesilkballdress,andcovereditwithacloudoffreshillusion,outofwhichherwhiteshouldersandgoldenheademergedwithamostartisticeffect.
Herhairshehadthesensetoletalone,aftergatheringupthethickwavesandcurlsintoaHebe–likeknotatthebackofherhead.
"It'snotthefashion,butit'sbecoming,andIcan'taffordtomakeafrightofmyself,"sheusedtosay,whenadvisedtofrizzle,puff,orbraid,asthelateststylecommanded.
Havingnoornamentsfineenoughforthisimportantoccasion,Amyloopedherfleecyskirtswithrosyclustersofazalea,andframedthewhiteshouldersindelicategreenvines.
Rememberingthepaintedboots,shesurveyedherwhitesatinslipperswithgirlishsatisfaction,andchasseddowntheroom,admiringheraristocraticfeetallbyherself.
"Mynewfanjustmatchesmyflowers,myglovesfittoacharm,andthereallaceonAunt'smouchoirgivesanairtomywholedress.
IfIonlyhadaclassicalnoseandmouthIshouldbeperfectlyhappy,"shesaid,surveyingherselfwithacriticaleyeandacandleineachhand.
Sheseldomran––itdidnotsuitherstyle,shethought,forbeingtall,thestatelyandJunoesquewasmoreappropriatethanthesportiveorpiquante.
ShewalkedupanddownthelongsaloonwhilewaitingforLaurie,andoncearrangedherselfunderthechandelier,whichhadagoodeffectuponherhair,thenshethoughtbetterofit,andwentawaytotheotherendoftheroom,asifashamedofthegirlishdesiretohavethefirstviewapropitiousone.
Itsohappenedthatshecouldnothavedoneabetterthing,forLauriecameinsoquietlyshedidnothearhim,andasshestoodatthedistantwindow,withherheadhalfturnedandonehandgatheringupherdress,theslender,whitefigureagainsttheredcurtainswasaseffectiveasawell–placedstatue.
"Goodevening,Apollo!"sheanswered,smilingbackathim,forhetoolookedunusuallydebonair,andthethoughtofenteringtheballroomonthearmofsuchapersonablemancausedAmytopitythefourplainMissesDavisfromthebottomofherheart.
"Hereareyourflowers.Iarrangedthemmyself,rememberingthatyoudidn'tlikewhatHannahcallsa'sot–bookay',"saidLaurie,handingheradelicatenosegay,inaholderthatshehadlongcovetedasshedailypasseditinCardiglia'swindow.
"Howkindyouare!"sheexclaimedgratefully."IfI'dknownyouwerecomingI'dhavehadsomethingreadyforyoutoday,thoughnotasprettyasthis,I'mafraid."
"Thankyou.Itisn'twhatitshouldbe,butyouhaveimprovedit,"headded,asshesnappedthesilverbraceletonherwrist.
"I'mgladofit,"heanswered,withalookofrelief,thenbuttonedherglovesforher,andaskedifhistiewasstraight,justasheusedtodowhentheywenttopartiestogetherathome.
ThehospitableAmericanshadinvitedeveryacquaintancetheyhadinNice,andhavingnoprejudiceagainsttitles,securedafewtoaddlustertotheirChristmasball.
ARussianprincecondescendedtositinacornerforanhourandtalkwithamassivelady,dressedlikeHamlet'smotherinblackvelvetwithapearlbridleunderherchin.
APolishcount,agedeighteen,devotedhimselftotheladies,whopronouncedhim,'afascinatingdear',andaGermanSereneSomething,havingcometosupperalone,roamedvaguelyabout,seekingwhathemightdevour.
BaronRothschild'sprivatesecretary,alarge–nosedJewintightboots,affablybeamedupontheworld,asifhismaster'snamecrownedhimwithagoldenhalo.
AstoutFrenchman,whoknewtheEmperor,cametoindulgehismaniafordancing,andLadydeJones,aBritishmatron,adornedthescenewithherlittlefamilyofeight.
Ofcourse,thereweremanylight–footed,shrill–voicedAmericangirls,handsome,lifeless–lookingEnglishditto,andafewplainbutpiquanteFrenchdemoiselles,likewisetheusualsetoftravelingyounggentlemenwhodisportedthemselvesgaily,whilemammasofallnationslinedthewallsandsmileduponthembenignlywhentheydancedwiththeirdaughters.
Sheknewshelookedwell,shelovedtodance,shefeltthatherfootwasonhernativeheathinaballroom,andenjoyedthedelightfulsenseofpowerwhichcomeswhenyounggirlsfirstdiscoverthenewandlovelykingdomtheyareborntorulebyvirtueofbeauty,youth,andwomanhood.
ShedidpitytheDavisgirls,whowereawkward,plain,anddestituteofescort,exceptagrimpapaandthreegrimmermaidenaunts,andshebowedtotheminherfriendliestmannerasshepassed,whichwasgoodofher,asitpermittedthemtoseeherdress,andburnwithcuriositytoknowwhoherdistinguished–lookingfriendmightbe.
Withthefirstburstoftheband,Amy'scolorrose,hereyesbegantosparkle,andherfeettotapthefloorimpatiently,forshedancedwellandwantedLaurietoknowit.
Thereforetheshockshereceivedcanbetterbeimaginedthandescribed,whenhesaidinaperfectlytranquiltone,"Doyoucaretodance?"
Hedancesdevinely,buthewillexcuseme,asyouareanoldfriend,"saidAmy,hopingthatthenamewouldhaveagoodeffect,andshowLauriethatshewasnottobetrifledwith.
ThesetinwhichtheyfoundthemselveswascomposedofEnglish,andAmywascompelledtowalkdecorouslythroughacotillion,feelingallthewhileasifshecoulddancethetarantellawithrelish.
Laurieresignedhertothe'nicelittleboy',andwenttodohisdutytoFlo,withoutsecuringAmyforthejoystocome,whichreprehensiblewantofforethoughtwasproperlypunished,forsheimmediatelyengagedherselftillsupper,meaningtorelentifhethengaveanysignspenitence.
Sheshowedhimherballbookwithdemuresatisfactionwhenhestrolledinsteadofrusheduptoclaimherforthenext,agloriouspolkaredowa.
Buthispoliteregretsdidn'timposeuponher,andwhenshegallopedawaywiththeCount,shesawLauriesitdownbyherauntwithanactualexpressionofrelief.
Thatwasunpardonable,andAmytooknomorenoticeofhimforalongwhile,exceptawordnowandthenwhenshecametoherchaperonbetweenthedancesforanecessarypinoramoment'srest.
Laurie'seyesfollowedherwithpleasure,forsheneitherrompednorsauntered,butdancedwithspiritandgrace,makingthedelightsomepastimewhatitshouldbe.
Heverynaturallyfelltostudyingherfromthisnewpointofview,andbeforetheeveningwashalfover,haddecidedthat'littleAmywasgoingtomakeaverycharmingwoman'.
Itwasalivelyscene,forsoonthespiritofthesocialseasontookpossessionofeveryone,andChristmasmerrimentmadeallfacesshine,heartshappy,andheelslight.
Themusiciansfiddled,tooted,andbangedasiftheyenjoyedit,everybodydancedwhocould,andthosewhocouldn'tadmiredtheirneighborswithuncommonwarmth.
Thegoldensecretarydartedthroughtheroomlikeameteorwithadashingfrenchwomanwhocarpetedthefloorwithherpinksatintrain.
ThesereneTeutonfoundthesupper–tableandwashappy,eatingsteadilythroughthebilloffare,anddismayedthegarconsbytheravageshecommitted.
ButtheEmperor'sfriendcoveredhimselfwithglory,forhedancedeverything,whetherheknewitornot,andintroducedimpromptupirouetteswhenthefiguresbewilderedhim.
Theboyishabandonofthatstoutmanwascharmingtobehold,forthoughhe'carriedweight',hedancedlikeanIndia–rubberball.
Heran,heflew,hepranced,hisfaceglowed,hisbaldheadshown,hiscoattailswavedwildly,hispumpsactuallytwinkledintheair,andwhenthemusicstopped,hewipedthedropsfromhisbrow,andbeameduponhisfellowmenlikeaFrenchPickwickwithoutglasses.
AmyandherPoledistinguishedthemselvesbyequalenthusiasmbutmoregracefulagility,andLauriefoundhimselfinvoluntarilykeepingtimetotherhythmicriseandfallofthewhiteslippersastheyflewbyasindefatigablyasifwinged.
WhenlittleVladimirfinallyrelinquishedher,withassurancesthathewas'desolatedtoleavesoearly',shewasreadytorest,andseehowherrecreantknighthadbornehispunishment.
Ithadbeensuccessful,foratthree–and–twenty,blightedaffectionsfindabalminfriendlysociety,andyoungnerveswillthrill,youngblooddance,andhealthyyoungspiritsrise,whensubjectedtotheenchantmentofbeauty,light,music,andmotion.
Lauriehadawaked–uplookasherosetogiveherhisseat,andwhenhehurriedawaytobringhersomesupper,shesaidtoherself,withasatisfiedsmile,"Ah,Ithoughtthatwoulddohimgood!"
"YoulooklikeBalzac's'_FemmePeinteParElle–Meme_',"hesaid,ashefannedherwithonehandandheldhercoffeecupintheother.
"Myrougewon'tcomeoff."andAmyrubbedherbrilliantcheek,andshowedhimherwhiteglovewithasobersimplicitythatmadehimlaughoutright.
"It'sasoldasthehills.Youhaveseenitondozensofgirls,andyouneverfoundoutthatitwasprettytillnow––stupide!"
"Noneofthat,itisforbidden.I'drathertakecoffeethancomplimentsjustnow.No,don'tlounge,itmakesmenervous."
Lauriesatboldupright,andmeeklytookheremptyplatefeelinganoddsortofpleasureinhaving'littleAmy'orderhimabout,forshehadlosthershynessnow,andfeltanirrestibledesiretotrampleonhim,asgirlshaveadelightfulwayofdoingwhenlordsofcreationshowanysignsofsubjection.
"As'thissortofthing'isratheravagueexpression,wouldyoukindlyexplain?"returnedAmy,knowingperfectlywellwhathemeant,butwickedlyleavinghimtodescribewhatisindescribable.
"Well––thegeneralair,thestyle,theself–possession,the––the––illusion––youknow",laughedLaurie,breakingdownandhelpinghimselfoutofhisquandarywiththenewword.
Amywasgratified,butofcoursedidn'tshowit,anddemurelyanswered,"Foreignlifepolishesoneinspiteofone'sself.
Istudyaswellasplay,andasforthis"––withalittlegesturetowardherdress––"why,tulleischeap,posiestobehadfornothing,andIamusedtomakingthemostofmypoorlittlethings."
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