for she had her bad headache. On this occasion the General told his only
anecdote, about what he had said to the Prince, and how the Prince had said
to him, “You are incomparable.” And he held out a languid hand to George.
Emily gave George her hand too, and looked almost sorry; and George
was the most sorry of all.
Time goes by when one has something to do; and it goes by, too, when
one has nothing to do. The time is equally long, but not equally useful. It
was useful to George, and did not seem long at all, except when he
happened to be thinking of his home. How might the good folks be getting
on, up stairs and down stairs? Yes, there was writing about that, and many
things can be put into a letter-bright sunshine and dark, heavy days. Both of
these were in the letter which brought the news that his father was dead, and
that his mother was alone now. She wrote that Emily had come down to see
her, and had been to her like an angel of comfort; and concerning herself,
she added that she had been allowed to keep her situation as porteress.
The General’s lady kept a diary, and in this diary was recorded every ball
she attended and every visit she received. The diary was illustrated by the
insertion of the visiting cards of the diplomatic circle and of the most noble
families; and the General’s lady was proud of it. The diary kept growing
through a long time, and amid many severe headaches, and through a long
course of half-nights, that is to say, of court balls. Emily had now been to a
court ball for the first time. Her mother had worn a bright red dress, with
black lace, in the Spanish style; the daughter had been attired in white, fair
and delicate; green silk ribbons fluttered like flag-leaves among her yellow
locks, and on her head she wore a wreath of water-lillies. Her eyes were so
blue and clear, her mouth was so delicate and red, she looked like a little
water spirit, as beautiful as such a spirit can be imagined. The Princes
danced with her, one after another of course; and the General’s lady had not
a headache for a week afterwards.
But the first ball was not the last, and Emily could not stand it; it was a
good thing, therefore, that summer brought with it rest, and exercise in the
open air. The family had been invited by the old Count to visit him at him
