Page:Tales of Three Cities (Boston, James R. Osgood & Co., 1884).djvu/100

88 keep from adding that it serves her right! It 's a great relief to me that Mr. Frank has gone; this has ceased to be a place for him. It is ever so long since he has said anything to me about his "prospects." They are charming, his prospects!

July 26. The garden-party has taken place, and a great deal more besides. I have been too agitated, too fatigued and bewildered, to write anything here; but I can't sleep to-night—I 'm too nervous—and it is better to sit and scribble than to toss about. I may as well say at once that the party was very pretty—Mrs. Ermine may have that credit. The day was lovely; the lawn was in capital order; the music was good, and the buffet apparently inexhaustible. There was an immense number of people; some of them had come even from Albany—many of them strangers to Eunice, and protéges only of Mrs. Ermine; but they dispersed themselves on the grounds, and I have not heard as yet that they stole the spoons or plucked up the plants. Mrs. Ermine, who was exceedingly champêtre—white muslin and corn-flowers—told me that Eunice was "receiving adorably;" was in her native element. She evidently inspired great curiosity; that was why every one had come. I don't mean because every one suspects her situation, but because as yet, since her return, she has been little seen and known, and is supposed to be a distinguished figure—clever, beautiful, rich, and a parti. I think she satisfied every one; she was voted most interesting, and except that