320 Life of Count Rum ford. 



had generally at that hour gentlemen around him, rendering it 

 improper. But I was much flattered by this invitation, draw- 

 ing from it favorable conclusions, that he had been pleased with 

 the fine banquet made in honor of him ; in short, that he had 

 no objection, as I was dying to do, to talk over the occurrences, 

 in calling to mind the features of it the most prominent and 

 agreeable. By all those in the habit of frequenting such oc- 

 casions, this is an absolute want, the pleasure equalling nearly, 

 if not quite, the first enjoyment. When girls get together for 

 this discussion, it is, c How pretty he was ! ' and c How ugly she 

 was ! ' While at my toilet, arranging myself, never with more 

 care, what with reflections on the preceding evening and the 

 anticipated pleasure of the breakfast, there became riveted on 

 my countenance a smile, like distorted muscles after an inordi- 

 nate laugh, difficult to change ; so that on arriving at my fa- 

 ther's, which had been by a jump and a bounce, that enchanting 

 complacency, so great, seemed for a moment to disconcert him. 

 But a general is not easily turned from his plans. It is for us, 

 poor, weak females, to be overcome by circumstances. Obey ! 

 is the order with them ; no reasoning. 



" Without endeavoring to give a darker coloring to the pic- 

 ture than what is due, or to cast blame illy becoming a child, 

 let us rather attribute things to the casualty of human nature ; 

 at the same time, receive them as a warning and check to too 

 elevated ideas of happiness seldom or never realized. This was 

 my situation ; this check I had. When quitting my father's 

 apartment, it was with totally different feelings and expectations 

 than when I went. It was now, without doubt, to see life un- 

 adorned by youthful imagination. In short, my troubles came 

 from exaggerated or real faults which I had committed. It 

 was thought improper that I should keep a secret from my 

 father, he my best friend, it being the case in the affair of the 

 banquet ; surprises, requiring to be carried on by the sly, led to 

 deception, a vile trait of character, and, if necessary, to false- 

 hoods. In short, my conduct to Count Taxis was alluded to 

 and disapproved. So that here, with one blow, were demolished 

 all my fine castles in the air. 





