"Poor woman," murmured Bergmann, "so bitter in experience at the
threshold of life--But why does she endure her fate? It is so easy to
be set free in America."
"I don't know. Perhaps on account of her children."
"Ah--she has children?"
"Two; and it is strange and touching to see how she rears them. Often
she treats them like dolls, and amuses herself for hours by dressing
and undressing them, dragging them around the room, and then suddenly
dropping them in some sofa corner, head down and feet up. Then again,
she talks gravely and tenderly to the little creatures, and tries to
instil good principles--it is too comical. But she is a delightful
creature, oh, a delightful creature----"
The banquet was over, honor was done to the last toast from brimming
champagne glasses, and the guests went to the drawing-room. Several
minutes elapsed before the gentlemen had escorted the ladies to their
chairs, and the arrangement appointed according to rank and precedence,
which had governed the seats assigned at the table, had yielded to free
gathering in groups.
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