ng an extensive
acquaintance among the other Milesians of the town, and of her class,
she stopped no less than eleven times to communicate the magnitude of
Miss Dosie's purchase. To two particular favorites she actually showed
me, under solemn promise of secrecy; and to four others she promised a
peep some day, after her bossee had fairly worn me. In this manner my
arrival was circulated prematurely in certain coteries, the pretty
mouths and fine voices that spoke of my marvels, being quite
unconscious that they were circulating news that had reached their ears
via Honor O'Flagherty, Biddy Noon, and Kathleen Brady.

{Milesians = slang for Irish (from Milesius, a mythical Spanish
conqueror of Ireland); Miss Dosie = Miss Eudosia; bossee = humorous for
a female boss; coteries = social sets}

Mr. Halfacre occupied a very GENTEEL residence in Broadway, where he
and his enjoyed the full benefit of all the dust, noise, and commotion
of that great thoroughfare. This house had been purchased and
mortgaged, generally simultaneous operations with this great operator,
as soon as he had "inventoried" half a million. It was a sort of patent
of nobility to live in Broadway; and the acquisition of such a
residence was like the purchase of a marquiseta in Italy. When Eudosia
was fairly in possession of a hundred-dollar pocket-handkerchief, the
great seal might be said to be attached to the document that was to
elevate the Halfacres throughout all future time.

{marquiseta = presumably the residence or palace of a Marquis}

Now the beautiful Eudosia--for beautiful, and even lovely, this
glorious-looking creature was, in spite of a very badly modulated
voice, certain inroads upon the fitness of things in the way of
expression, and a want of a knowledge of the finesse of fine life--now
the beautiful Eudosia had an intimate friend named Clara Caverly, who
was as unlike her as possible, in character, education, habits, and
appearance; and yet who was firmly her friend. The attachment was one
of childhood and accident--the two girls having been neighbors and
school-fellows until they had got to like each other, after the manner
in which young people form such friendships, to wear away under the
friction of the world, and the pressure of time. Mr. Caverly was a
lawyer of good practice, fair reputation, and respectable family. His
wife happened to be a lady from her cradle; and the daughter had
experienced the advantage of as great a blessi