Page:The Count of Monte-Cristo (1887 Volume 3).djvu/86

66 And, indeed, it required but one glance of Mademoiselle Danglars to comprehend the justness, as well as nature, of Morcerf's remark.

She was certainly handsome, but her beauty was of too marked and decided a character to please a fastidious taste. Her hair was raven black, but amid its natural waves might be seen a species of rebellion to the hand that sought to band and braid it; her eyes, of the same color as her hair, surmounted by well-arched brows, whose great defect, how ever, consisted in an almost habitual frown, wore an expression of firmness that astonished one in a woman; her nose was precisely what a statuary would have chosen for a Juno. Her mouth, which was too large, displayed teeth of pearly whiteness, rendered still more conspicuous by the over-redness of her lips, contrasting strongly with her naturally pale complexion. Lastly, a dark mole, of much larger dimensions than these freaks of nature generally are, placed just at the corner of her mouth, tended to increase the expression of resolution that alarmed Morcerf.

The rest of Mademoiselle Eugenie's person was in perfect keeping with the head just described; she, indeed, reminded you of the "Hunting Diana," as Chateau-Renaud observed, but with a more haughty and resolute air.

As regarded her attainments, the only fault to be found with them was the same as with her beauty, that they were somewhat masculine. She was a perfect linguist; a first-rate artist; wrote poetry, and composed music. To the study of the latter she professed to be entirely devoted, studying it with a schoolfellow without fortune, but with every talent to become, it was said, an excellent singer.

It was rumored that she was an object of almost paternal interest to one of the principal composers of the day, who excited her to spare no pains in the cultivation of her voice, which might hereafter prove a source of wealth.

The possibility that Louise d'Armilly (this was the name of the young virtuosa) might enter the stage, made Mile. Danglars, while receiving her at home, refuse to show herself in her company in public. Still, though not received at the Hotel Danglars in the light of a friend, Louise was treated with far more kindness than is usually bestowed on governesses.

The curtain fell almost immediately after the entrance of Madame Danglars into her box, the orchestra stalls were deserted for the accustomed half-hour's interval allowed between the acts, and the audience were left to promenade the salon, or to pay visits in their boxes.

Morcerf and Chateau-Renaud were amongst the first to avail them selves of this permission.