Two ladies of great distinction introduced. Superior finery ever seems to confer superior breeding Mr Burchell had scarce taken leave, and Sophia consented to dance with the chaplain, when my little ones came running out to tell us that the 'Squire was come, with a crowd of company. Upon our return, we found our landlord, with a couple of under gentlemen and two young ladies richly drest, whom he introduced as women of very great distinction and fashion from town. We happened not to have chairs enough for the whole company; but Mr Thornhill immediately proposed that every gentleman should sit in a lady's lap. This I positively objected to, notwithstanding a look of disapprobation from my wife. Moses was therefore dispatched to borrow a couple of chairs; and as we were in want of ladies to make up a set at country dances, the two gentlemen went with him in quest of a couple of partners. Chairs and partners were soon provided. The gentlemen returned with my neighbour Flamborough's rosy daughters, flaunting with red top-knots, but an unlucky circumstance was not adverted to; though the Miss Flamboroughs were reckoned the very best dancers in the parish, and understood the jig and the round-about to perfection; yet they were totally unacquainted with country dances.' This at first discomposed us: however, after a little shoving and dragging, they at last went merrily on. Our music consisted of two fiddles, with a pipe and tabor. The moon shone bright, Mr Thornhill and my eldest daughter led up the ball, to the great delight of the spectators; for the neighbours hearing what was going forward, came flocking about us. My girl moved with so much grace and vivacity, that my wife could not avoid discovering the pride of her heart, by assuring me, that though the little chit did it so cleverly, all the steps were stolen from herself. The ladies of the town strove hard to be equally easy, but without success. They swam, sprawled, languished, and frisked; but all would not do: the gazers indeed owned that it was fine; but neighbour Flamborough observed, that Miss Livy's feet seemed as pat to the music as its echo. After the dance had continued about an hour, the two ladies, who were apprehensive of catching cold, moved to break up the ball. One of them, I thought, expressed her sentiments upon this occasion in a very coarse manner, when she observed, that by the living jingo, she was all of a muck of sweat. Upon our return to the house, we found a very elegant cold supper, which Mr Thornhill had ordered to be brought with him. The conversation at this time was more reserved than before. The two ladies threw my girls quite into the shade; for they would talk of nothing but high life, and high lived company; with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, Shakespear, and the musical glasses. 'Tis true they once or twice mortified us sensibly by slipping out an oath; but that appeared to me as the surest symptom of their distinction, (tho'I am since informed that swearing is perfectly unfashionable.)
同类推荐
热门推荐
黑蔷薇.公主的王子们
嗯~~女主是一个冷漠的人,因为她小时候和男主认识,也下了约定,所以女主才会无比冷漠。男主也是一样,男主也就是女主,他们的爱情很辛酸,因为经历了许多不相信和背叛、欺骗,但是最后还是有情人终成眷属吗!!!!(萌萌诉苦:因为不太会军面貌和衣物什么的,还有很...所以自己想象....拜托~拜托~原谅萌萌啊!)福尔摩斯探案集(青少版名著)
《福尔摩斯探案集》是英国著名侦探小说家阿瑟·柯南·道尔的代表作。作品的主人公福尔摩斯是一个充满智慧的神探,他面对曲折离奇的案件,往往能够通过对细节的精确观察,进行合乎逻辑的推理,一步步抽丝剥茧,最终使真相大白。这些故事大都反映了当时英国社会的现实问题,揭示了法律中存在的种种不合理现象,宣扬了人道主义、善恶报应以及“天网恢恢,疏而不漏”的理想主义观点,并热情赞美了人间的真善美。