You will
see me when I have filled out and ripened, and when I put on my grand
Marie Antoinette _tenu_, some day! Hair drawn back, _a la Pompadour_,
powdered with gold-dust; a touch of rouge, perhaps, on either cheek;
ruffles of rich lace at shoulders and elbows; pink brocade and emeralds,
picked out with diamonds! Mr. Mortimer's teachings in every graceful
movement! It will be all humbug, for I have no real beauty, not much
grace; but people will think me beautiful and graceful for all that,
while I wear my costumes. They are several--this is only one--all highly
becoming! I have a vision of a sea-green dress and moss-roses; of a
violet-satin robe, trimmed and twisted everywhere with flowers of yellow
jasmine; of pale-gold and tipped marabouts in my hair; also of an azure
silk with blond and pearls and a tiara on my forehead" (she laughed
archly). "You don't know my capabilities, my dear, for appearing to look
well--they are wonderful!"
"The very prospect transfigures you, Bertie. I am glad you are so
courageous."
"Were you courageous when you clung to your ropes on the sea-tossed
raft! No, Miriam! that was instinct--nothing more; and I, too, have very
strong intuitions of self-preservation. Heaven grant that they may be
successful! Let us pray."
And, with moving lips and down-drawn lids, from beneath which the large
tears stole one by one, like crystal globes, this suffering spirit
communed with its God, silently.
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