The storm of London: a social rhapsodyBlaze de Bury, Fernande
Science
The storm of London: a social rhapsody
Blaze de Bury, Fernande
London (England) -- Fiction; Science fiction
Mrs David Pottinger, holding the hand of the American Seer, entered
first; behind her came the twenty bearers carrying the Reliquary. The
public stared in amazement at its size—twelve feet long and eight feet
wide—and they were dazzled by the beauty of the mass of solid gold all
inlaid with precious stones. As the bearers slowly advanced into the
middle of the hall, the whole assembly rose, and many were moved to
tears as they read on the top of the casket the magic word, _Happiness_,
spelt in diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Not one word, not one clap of
hands were heard to disturb the sanctity of the ceremony. Immediately
behind the Reliquary came the American colony, walking three abreast.
They were all there, proud of their kinsman, to whom the world in future
would owe an eternal debt of gratitude, and they were honoured at being
allowed to be of use to dear old England, whose hospitality they so
thoroughly appreciated. Behind these marched the Music Hall Artists, men
and women; and at their approach a thrill ran through the audience. They
fluttered with wild excitement at the sight of these dapper men and
spruce little women, who seemed to bring with them an element of
good-natured fun, and to whom England owed, in a sense, its salvation.
What the audience felt was similar to that which they formerly
experienced in the days when the Horse Guards used to appear on the
scene, to announce the approach of a Royal carriage. Still, no words
rose to their lips; their gratitude for these wise jesters was too
deeply rooted in their hearts to find expression in vulgar applause.
Their eyes lingered in rapture on the ranks of the satirists whose
action had, at a critical moment, pulled Society together, and taught
its members how to observe and how to remember.
From these the audience looked up at the twenty bearers, and marvelled
at their transformation, recognising in one a Royal Highness, in others
a Prime Minister, a Field-Marshal, an Archbishop, a South African
millionaire and various Members of Parliament.
Mrs Pottinger and the Seer were within a few steps of the platform, when
the procession suddenly came to a standstill; the members of the
committee, rising from their seats, came forward and bowed to the
couple, whilst Gwendolen and her friends remained behind with their
guest from the other side of the Channel, to whom they were anxious to
show the utmost courtesy. The twenty bearers carefully lifted the heavy
burden from their shoulders, and deposited on the ground, the Reliquary
which rested on ten sphinxes’ heads carved in solid gold. The twenty
representatives of a vanished civilisation showed no signs of lassitude
after their long pilgrimage, but stood upright, facing the committee
with the tranquil expression which heroes bear on their faces when they
have accomplished their duty.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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