Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/214

212 it is enough to bring them back to our unworthy earth in the shape of furies, to see their images put to such base use. None but a classical countenance should venture on cameos." "I am," replied Emily—personal adornment is the true spell that would almost wake the dead—"so very fond of emeralds: there is something so spiritual in their pure green light, and one associates with them the romantic fiction of mysterious virtue being in their 'mystic stone.'" "My sweetest Emily," returned Lady Mandeville, a little alarmed, "never be picturesque or poetical at your toilette;—in matters of grave import, never allow vain and foolish fancies to interfere; never sit at your looking-glass as if you were sitting for a picture;—indulge in no vagrant creations of your own. What Pope said of fate is still truer of fashion— "But suppose any prevailing fashion is to me peculiarly unbecoming?" "It will be less unbecoming than singularity. A peculiar style, especially if that style suit you, will make a whole room your enemies: independence is an affront to your