Bung had seen in Europe. A young German
Durchlaucht deigned to explain to his aide-de-camp how very handsome he
thought Miss Newcome. All our acquaintances were of one mind. Mr. Jones
of England pronounced her stunning; the admirable Captain Blackball
examined her points with the skill of an amateur, and described them with
agreeable frankness. Lord Rooster was charmed as he surveyed her, and
complimented his late companion-in-arms on the possession of such a
paragon. Only Lord Kew was not delighted--nor did Miss Ethel mean that he
should be. She looked as splendid as Cinderella in the prince's palace.
But what need for all this splendour? this wonderful toilette? this
dazzling neck and shoulders, whereof the brightness and beauty blinded
the eyes of lookers-on? She was dressed as gaudily as an actress of the
Varietes going to a supper at Trois Freres. "It was Mademoiselle Mabille
en habit de coeur," Madame d'Ivry remarked to Madame Schlangenbad.
Barnes, who with his bride-elect for a partner made a vis-a-vis for his
sister and the admiring Lord Rooster, was puzzled likewise by Ethel's
countenance and appearance.
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