Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/84

60 her with varlets and hirelings, permitted her to take her place in an immense "Roseland," chartered by subscription. The little, chubby-cheeked girl, with eyes of an opaline hue, varying from sky-blue to sea-green, was grateful for her share in these valets and handmaids' amusements; the open good humour of these poor fellows rejoiced her; she enjoyed a childish pleasure at being seated on the flowery and noisy chariot, and at drinking the sugared beer at the stages appointed by the head of the party. The men paid for the beer, the girls furnished the sugaring; Blandine contributed in her turn her share of powdered sugar. She laughed, sang, and danced like her male and female companions. Not thinking of evil, the liberties which were being taken all about her frightened her no more than the twittering of the birds in the trees or the dance of insects in a sunbeam. At the dinner hour she shared the meal of the other Roselanders; afterwards she followed in their train, led away by the atmosphere of good cheer and caresses, feeling herself their little friend, and unable to make up her mind to leave them.

However, towards the evening, a languor,