So long as I prosecuted my reforms on the actual staff of the establishment, all went well. Now and then, it is true, I used to overhear in French, of which they believed me to be ignorant, rather sharp comments on the "free-and-easy tone of my manners; how careless I had become," and so on,--complaints, however, sure to be be met by some assurance that "my manners were quite London;" that what I did was the type of fashionable servitude,--apologies made less to screen me than to exalt those who invented them, as thoroughly conversant with high life in England. At last, partly from being careless of consequences, for I was getting very weary of this kind of life,--the great amusement of which used to be repeating my performances for the ear of Captain Pike, and he was now removed with his regiment to Kingstown,--and partly wishing for some incidents, of what kind I cared not, that might break the monotony of my existence, I contrived one day to stretch my prerogative too far, or, in the phrase of the Gulf, I "harpooned a bottle-nose,"--the periphrasis for making a gross mistake. I had been some years at Mrs. Davis's,--in fact, I felt and thought myself a man,--when the last ball of the season was announced,--an entertainment at which usually a more crowded assemblage used to congregate than at any of the previous ones. It was the choice occasion for the _habitués_ of the house to invite their grand friends; for Mrs. D. was accustomed to put forth all her strength, and the arrangements were made on a scale of magnificence that invariably occasioned a petty famine for the fortnight beforehand. Soup never appeared, that there might be "bouillon" for the dancers; every one was on a short allowance of milk, eggs, and sugar; meat became almost a tradition; even candles waned and went out, in waiting for the auspicious night when they should blaze like noonday. Nor did the company fail to participate in these preparatory schoolings. What frightful heads in curl-papers would appear at breakfast and dinner! What buttoned-up coats and black cravats refuse all investigation on the score of linen! What mysterious cookings of cosmetics at midnight, with petty thefts of lard and thick cream! What washings of kid gloves, that when washed would never go on again! What inventions of French-polish that refused all persuasions to dry, but continued to stick to and paint everything it came in contact with! Then there were high dresses cut down, like frigates razeed; frock-coats reduced to dress ones; mock lace and false jewelry were at a premium; and all the little patchwork devices of ribbons, bows, and carnations, gimp, gauze, and geraniums, were put into requisition,--petty acts of deception that each saw through in her neighbor, but firmly believed were undetectable in herself.