按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the windows； and which is lined there with a white silk that looks as
though it were watered。 The panels over the doors have been painted；
by what artist I can't say； but they represent one a sunrise； the
other a moonlight scene。
The fireplace is a very interesting feature in the room。 It is easy to
see that life in the last century centered largely round the hearth；
where great events were enacted。 The copper gilt grate is a marvel of
workmanship； and the mantelpiece is most delicately finished； the
fire…irons are beautifully chased； the bellows are a perfect gem。 The
tapestry of the screen comes from the Gobelins and is exquisitely
mounted； charming fantastic figures run all over the frame； on the
feet； the supporting bar； and the wings； the whole thing is wrought
like a fan。
Dearly should I like to know who was the giver of this dainty work of
art； which was such a favorite with her。 How often have I seen the old
lady； her feet upon the bar； reclining in the easy…chair； with her
dress half raised in front； toying with the snuff…box； which lay upon
the ledge between her box of pastilles and her silk mits。 What a
coquette she was！ to the day of her death she took as much pains with
her appearance as though the beautiful portrait had been painted only
yesterday； and she were waiting to receive the throng of exquisites
from the Court！ How the armchair recalls to me the inimitable sweep of
her skirts as she sank back in it！
These women of a past generation have carried off with them secrets
which are very typical of their age。 The Princess had a certain turn
of the head； a way of dropping her glance and her remarks； a choice of
words； which I look for in vain； even in my mother。 There was subtlety
in it all； and there was good…nature； the points were made without any
affectation。 Her talk was at once lengthy and concise； she told a good
story； and could put her meaning in three words。 Above all； she was
extremely free…thinking； and this has undoubtedly had its effect on my
way of looking at things。
From seven years old till I was ten； I never left her side； it pleased
her to attract me as much as it pleased me to go。 This preference was
the cause of more than one passage at arms between her and my mother；
and nothing intensifies feeling like the icy breath of persecution。
How charming was her greeting； 〃Here you are； little rogue！〃 when
curiosity had taught me how to glide with stealthy snake…like
movements to her room。 She felt that I loved her； and this childish
affection was welcome as a ray of sunshine in the winter of her life。
I don't know what went on in her rooms at night； but she had many
visitors； and when I came on tiptoe in the morning to see if she were
awake； I would find the drawing…room furniture disarranged； the card…
tables set out； and patches of snuff scattered about。
This drawing…room is furnished in the same style as the bedroom。 The
chairs and tables are oddly shaped； with claw feet and hollow
mouldings。 Rich garlands of flowers； beautifully designed and carved；
wind over the mirrors and hang down in festoons。 On the consoles are
fine china vases。 The ground colors are scarlet and white。 My
grandmother was a high…spirited； striking brunette； as might be
inferred from her choice of colors。 I have found in the drawing…room a
writing…table I remember well； the figures on it used to fascinate me；
it is plaited in graven silver； and was a present from one of the
Genoese Lomellini。 Each side of the table represents the occupations
of a different season； there are hundreds of figures in each picture；
and all in relief。
I remained alone for two hours； while old memories rose before me； one
after another； on this spot； hallowed by the death of a woman most
remarkable even among the witty and beautiful Court ladies of Louis
XV。's day。
You know how abruptly I was parted from her； at a day's notice； in
1816。
〃Go and bid good…bye to your grandmother；〃 said my mother。
The Princess received me as usual； without any display of feeling； and
expressed no surprise at my departure。
〃You are going to the convent； dear；〃 she said； 〃and will see your
aunt there； who is an excellent woman。 I shall take care； though； that
they don't make a victim of you； you shall be independent； and able to
marry whom you please。〃
Six months later she died。 Her will had been given into the keeping of
the Prince de Talleyrand； the most devoted of all her old friends。 He
contrived； while paying a visit to Mlle。 de Chargeboeuf； to intimate
to me； through her； that my grandmother forbade me to take the vows。 I
hope； sooner or later； to meet the Prince； and then I shall doubtless
learn more from him。
Thus； sweetheart； if I have found no one in flesh and blood to meet
me； I have comforted myself with the shade of the dear Princess； and
have prepared myself for carrying out one of our pledges； which was；
as you know； to keep each other informed of the smallest details in
our homes and occupations。 It makes such a difference to know where
and how the life of one we love is passed。 Send me a faithful picture
of the veriest trifles around you； omitting nothing； not even the
sunset lights among the tall trees。
October 19th。
It was three in the afternoon when I arrived。 About half…past five；
Rose came and told me that my mother had returned； so I went
downstairs to pay my respects to her。
My mother lives in a suite on the ground floor； exactly corresponding
to mine； and in the same block。 I am just over her head； and the same
secret staircase serves for both。 My father's rooms are in the block
opposite； but are larger by the whole of the space occupied by the
grand staircase on our side of the building。 These ancestral mansions
are so spacious； that my father and mother continue to occupy the
ground…floor rooms； in spite of the social duties which have once more
devolved on them with the return of the Bourbons； and are even able to
receive in them。
I found my mother； dressed for the evening； in her drawing…room； where
nothing is changed。 I came slowly down the stairs； speculating with
every step how I should be met by this mother who had shown herself so
little of a mother to me； and from whom； during eight years； I had
heard nothing beyond the two letters of which you know。 Judging it
unworthy to simulate an affection I could not possibly feel； I put on
the air of a pious imbecile； and entered the room with many inward
qualms； which however soon disappeared。 My mother's tack was equal to
the occasion。 She made no pretence of emotion； she neither held me at
arm's…length nor hugged me to her bosom like a beloved daughter； but
greeted me as though we had parted the evening before。 Her manner was
that of the kindliest and most sincere friend； as she addressed me
like a grown person； first kissing me on the forehead。
〃My dear little one；〃 she said； 〃if you were to die at the convent； it
is much better to live with your family。 You frustrate your father's
plans and mine； but the age of blind obedience to parents is past。 M。
de Chaulieu's intention； and in this I am quite at one with him； is to
lose no opportunity of maki