Volume II Part 4 (1/2)
I should have thought and acted differently if I had known all her history Instead of reone with her to London, and I kno that she would have been delighted to go there
The two artists arrived soon afterwards; they were the 'prilioni, then a very pretty wouests soon followed; all of thee No introductions took place, and I read the tact of the witty hunchback in the ouests were lect of etiquette did not prevent the every honour to my lovely friend, who received their co which are known only in France, and even there only in the highest society, with the exception, however, of a few French provinces in which the nobility, wrongly called good society, shew rather too openly the haughtiness which is characteristic of that class
The concert began by aa duet with great talent and much taste They were followed by a pupil of the celebrated Vandini, who played a concerto on the violoncello, and armly applauded
The applause had not yet ceased when Henriette, leaving her seat, went up to the young artist, and told him, with modest confidence, as she took the violoncello fro out the beautiful tone of the instrument still better I was struck with a ed the leader of the orchestra to begin the concerto again
The deepest silence prevailed I was tre Fortunately every look was fixed upon Henriette, and nobody thought oftowards lance, for she would have lost courage, if she had raised her beautiful eyes toherself to play, I was beginning to i in a jest, when she suddenlywith such force that I thought I should drop down dead
But let the reader i over, well-merited applause burst froe froht on an excitement which was like a violent fever The applause did not see her eyes from the notes which she saw for the first tireatest perfection As she rose frouests for their applause, but, addressing the young artist with affability, she told him, with a sweet smile, that she had never played on a finer instru to the audience, she said,
”I entreat your forgiveness for a movement of vanity which has made me encroach on your patience for half an hour”
The nobility and grace of this remark completely upset arden where no one could see me
”Who is she, this Henriette?” I said towith tears of emotion, ”what is this treasure I have in my possession?”
My happiness was so immense that I felt hts which enhanced the pleasure of any tears, I should have stayed for a long tune in the garden if Dubois had not co tothat a slight giddiness had compelled me to co the room, I had time to dry my tears, but my eyelids were still red Henriette, however, was the only one to take notice of it, and she said to arden”
She knew uess the i's occurrence
Dubois had invited the most amiable nobleed I was seated opposite Henriette as, as a eneral attention, but she would have met with the same success if she had been surrounded by a circle of ladies whom she would certainly have thrown into the shade by her beauty, her wit, and the distinction of her manners She was the charm of that supper by the animation she i, but he was proud to have such a lovely guest in his house She contrived to say a few gracious words to everyone, and was shrewd enough never to utter so me take a share in it On my side, I openly shewed my submissiveness, my deference, and my respect for that divinity, but it was all in vain She wanted everybody to know that I was her lord and ht have been taken for my wife, but my behaviour to her rendered such a supposition i fallen on the respective merits of the French and Spanish nations, Dubois was foolish enough to ask Henriette to which she gave preference
It would have been difficult to ask athat the company was composed almost entirely of Frenchmen and Spaniards in about equal proportion Yet my Henriette turned the difficulty so cleverly that the Frenchmen would have liked to be Spaniards, and 'vice versa' Dubois, nothing daunted, begged her to say what she thought of the Italians The question made me tremble A certain M de la Combe, as seated near me, shook his head in token of disapprobation, but Henriette did not try to elude the question
”What can I say about the Italians,” she answered, ”I know only one? If I ale example is not sufficient to establish the rule”
It was iive a better answer, but as ine, I did not appear to have heard it, and being anxious to prevent any more indiscreet questions from Dubois I turned the conversation into a different channel
The subject of music was discussed, and a Spaniard asked Henriette whether she could play any other instrument besides the violoncello
”No,” she answered, ”I never felt any inclination for any other I learned the violoncello at the convent to please my mother, who can play it pretty well, and without an order from my father, sanctioned by the bishop, the abbess would never have given me permission to practise it”
”What objection could the abbess make?”
”That devout spouse of our Lord pretended that I could not play that instru an indecent position”
At this the Spanish guests bit their lips, but the Frenchainst the over-particular abbess
After a short silence, Henriette rose, and we all followed her exa up the party, and we soon took our leave
I longed to find myself alone with the idol offor the answers