First Love: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 3Loudon, Mrs. (Margracia)
General
First Love: A Novel. Vol. 2 of 3
Loudon, Mrs. (Margracia)
Fiction
A small ante-room, the first of the suite thrown open on the present
occasion, was fitted up to represent a cave. Before its entrance lay
irregular masses of rock, on which were seated some of the Misses Morven,
in their sea-nymph attire, combing their dishevelled locks with branches
of coral, and singing the while, like the Syrens of old; till, on the
approach of guests, they would dart off with looks of well feigned
wildness, into the mouth of the cave; serving thus by their mockery of
flight, as guides to the company. The interior of the cave was decorated
with coral, growing out of the crevices of the rock, and budding with
precious stones; slender sea-plants gracefully pendant from each
projecting point; every variety of magnificent shell, from some of which
seemed to proceed strains of the wildest music, like the notes of Eolian
harps; whilst others sent forth sounds, resembling the rushing of mighty
waters. Under foot shone golden sands, promiscuously strewn with pearls
and variegated pebbles; while fragments of spar and many-sided crystal,
containing concealed lamps, being the only visible sources of light, gave
to the whole a magical effect. Here, in picturesque attitudes, reclining
on couches of feathery and rainbow tinted seaweed, appeared the principal
figures of the group. They too were singing, but in sweeter strains than
those without, and in harmony with the thrilling breathings, still
proceeding from the shells.
On the entrance of the guests, led in by the flying Misses Morven, the
recumbent nymphs, gracefully moving their arms in time to the soft music,
by looks and gestures indicated the way through each recess of the cave
to an outlet at its further extremity, which led into the next reception
room.
The advancing company now found themselves in a seeming grove of fine
old oaks, the stems of which were entwined, and the branches festooned
with laurel. Triumphal wreaths of the latter material were also borne
aloft in the joyous dance by a group of wood-nymphs, wearing on their
heads, crowns, and over their shoulders, garlands of roses, with which
were intermingled leaves, both from the forest tree and its triumphal
wreathings; signifying, that if we would have the gentler blossoms of
our gardens flourish, the oak and the laurel must be cultivated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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