Fashion -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Women's periodicals, American
After breakfast, she told Miss Plodder that she would "take care of
me, and introduce me to the Elders." Then bidding me not to be afraid,
she led me by the hand to a group of tall young ladies, and in a set
speech, delivered in a mock tone, such as I've heard my brothers
imitate Mr. John Cooper in, "begged to present a humble candidate to
their friendship and favor." The tallest, a Miss Noble, who seemed the
head girl, and as stiff as a backboard, made me welcome, and then began
questioning me in the following manner: "Did I live in London?--at the
Westend, of course?--perhaps in Belgrave-square? No! then near Hyde
Park? No! then in one of the squares? Yes! Well, some of the squares
were still respectable. In which of the squares did I live, pray?"
I mumbled out, as well as I could, "Torrington-square."
"Oh! hem! where was Torrington-square?" continued my tormentor. "Near
the city, was it not? No!--what, near Russell-square and Gower-street?
Gower-street! Well, really, she knew nothing of those parts of the
town."
I was next asked, "Whether my mamma went to court?"
"No," I answered, in my ignorance; "but papa does sometimes, and takes
his blue bag with him when he has law business." This gave rise to
shouts of laughter, and long exclamations of "Dear, dear!" whilst looks
of pity were showered down upon me.
"I mean," continued Miss Noble, "her Majesty's receptions. My mamma
goes to court; and I am to be presented myself by the Grand Duchess of
Mechlenburgh-Sedlitz immediately on my leaving college;" and she tossed
her head up to the ceiling, until I thought it would never come down
again.
"How did you come last night?" resumed Miss Noble. "In the omnibus,"
cried out wicked Meggy, who immediately ran away.
"No; I know how she came," said another beauty, "for I was in the
drawing-room at the time, and looked out of the window; she came in a
clarence _with one horse_." And they all tittered again, and I felt my
cheeks growing red, though why I should be ashamed of mamma's pretty
clarence I don't know, even though it has but _one_ horse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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