Letters of Two Brides

Strange thoughts assail me as it becomes plain

to me that these two, so perfectly matched in birth, wealth, and

mental superiority, live entirely apart, and have nothing in common

but their name. The show of unity is only for the world.

The cream of the Court and diplomatic circles were here last night.

Very soon I am going to a ball given by the Duchesse de Maufrigneuse,

and I shall be presented to the society I am so eager to know. A

dancing-master is coming every morning to give me lessons, for I must

be able to dance in a month, or I can't go to the ball.

Before dinner, my mother came to talk about the governess with me. I

have decided to keep Miss Griffith, who was recommended by the English

ambassador. Miss Griffith is the daughter of a clergyman; her mother

was of good family, and she is perfectly well bred. She is thirty-six,

and will teach me English. The good soul is quite handsome enough to

have ambitions; she is Scotch--poor and proud--and will act as my

chaperon. She is to sleep in Rose's room. Rose will be under her

orders.

I saw at a glance that my governess would be governed by me.

In the six days we have been together, she has made very sure that I

am the only person likely to take an interest in her; while, for my

part, I have ascertained that, for all her statuesque features, she

will prove accommodating. She seems to me a kindly soul, but cautious.

I have not been able to extract a word of what passed between her and

my mother. Another trifling piece of news! My father has this morning refused the

appointment as Minister of State which was offered him. This accounts

for his preoccupied manner last night. He says he would prefer an

embassy to the worries of public debate. Spain in especial attracts

him.

This news was told me at lunch, the one moment of the day when my

father, mother, and brother see each other in an easy way. The

servants then only come when they are rung for. The rest of the day my

brother, as well as my father, spends out of the house. My mother has

her toilet to make; between two and four she is never visible; at four

o'clock she goes out for an hour's drive; when she is not dining out,

she receives from six to seven, and the evening is given to

entertainments of various kinds--theatres, balls, concerts, at homes.

In short, her life is so full, that I don't believe she ever has a

quarter of an hour to herself. She must spend a considerable time

dressing in the morning; for at lunch, which takes place between

eleven and twelve, she is exquisite. The meaning of the things that

are said about her is dawning on me. She begins the day with a bath

barely warmed, and a cup of cold coffee with cream; then she dresses.