Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/214

216 The first time I saw her, I was combing a lady, and she happened in the room. Her conversation was of nothing but lords, dukes, counts and earls. This lady was charmed and fascinated, listening to her as if all she said was true as gospel, or something that would nourish soul and body. She arose, and passing by, looked at me as if I was a little insect in her path. After she had gone out, the lady said to me, "Iangy, ain't she lovely?"

"Lovely!" said I; "No, madam, I don't think she is; and allow me to tell you, she is not what she represents herself. I have been in England too long not to know those who have mingled with the nobility. I have been child's nurse in England, and had an opportunity of seeing and learning a great deal about the nobility; and I know enough of them to know one in any part of the world I may meet them; I can even tell a servant that has been in their employ; and if this lady, in six months from now, holds the same position she now does, I will give you five years' hair-dressing, and if not, I shall expect a valuable present from you."

In a few days the soiree came off. At first the English lady did not like me; but hearing so many ladies, whom she tried to be intimate with, speak in my behalf, nobody could comb her but me. While combing her one day, she showed me some pictures. On the first glance I saw that she had got them out of the Book of Queens. One of these pictures she told me was her sister, and another her aunt; while, a day or two before, I had heard her tell some ladies that they were titled ladies, with whom she was very intimate.