Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/80

82 in groups of fifteen or twenty, laughing and talking with all the gayety and good humor imaginable. On the promenade was a large crowd, some walking briskly, others leisurely along, chatting and making merry; some arguing on the favorite topics of the day, discussing politics, or laying plans for the morrow's amusement.

From thence I proceeded to the grounds, meeting a few couples, who had fled from the crowded rooms to the shaded paths, and looking as though they did not like having their lonely walks interrupted. I then passed the cottages; in some the families were collected together, talking and reading, while others looked dark and deserted; in one was quite a company assembled, the older persons enjoying themselves with singing and music, chatting and laughing, while the younger were amusing themselves with childish sports and games, seeming a happy little party; in another, the habitation of a Spanish count, greatly sought after for his immense wealth, some gentlemen were playing euchre; while, before the dim light in the next, you could occasionally see a stately figure move back and forth.

These cottages are opposite the business portion of the house, so, after leaving them, I concluded I would take a look into the club-room; here I was much surprised to see more white-haired men than young ones. Two rooms were well filled, and in them I noticed some gray-headed men, so old and feeble they could scarcely get up and down stairs, but still they were there, and while the faces of some were as cold and immovable as though their features could never express an emotion; in the countenances of others could