her
height, figure, complexion, and style of dress. The latter subject
especially interested Margaret; she could question me on it, over and
over again. What was Clara's usual morning dress? How did she wear her
hair? What was her evening dress? Did she make a difference between a
dinner party and a ball? What colours did she prefer? What dressmaker
did she employ? Did she wear much jewellery? Which did she like best in
her hair, and which were most fashionable, flowers or pearls? How many
new dresses did she have in a year; and was there more than one maid
especially to attend on her?

Then, again: Had she a carriage of her own? What ladies took care of
her when she went out? Did she like dancing? What were the fashionable
dances at noblemen's houses? Did young ladies in the great world
practise the pianoforte much? How many offers had my sister had? Did she
go to Court, as well as my father? What did she talk about to gentlemen,
and what did gentlemen talk about to her? If she were speaking to a
duke, how often would she say "your Grace" to him? and would a duke get
her a chair, or an ice, and wait on her just as gentlemen without titles
waited on ladies, when they met them in society?

My replies to these and hundreds of other questions like them, were
received by Margaret with the most eager attention. On the favourite
subject of Clara's dresses, my answers were an unending source of
amusement and pleasure to her. She especially enjoyed overcoming the
difficulties of interpreting aright my clumsy, circumlocutory phrases
in attempting to describe shawls, gowns, and bonnets; and taught me the
exact millinery language which I ought to have made use of with an arch
expression of triumph and a burlesque earnestness of manner, that
always enchanted me. At that time, every word she uttered, no matter how
frivolous, was the sweetest of all music to my ears. It was only by the
stern test of after-events that I learnt to analyse her conversation.
Sometimes, when I was away from her, I might think of leading her
girlish curiosity to higher things; but when we met again, the thought
vanished; and it became delight enough for me simply to hear her speak,
without once caring or considering what she spoke of.

Those were the days when I lived happy and unreflecting in the broad
sunshine of joy which love showered round me--my eyes were dazzled; my
mind lay asleep under it. Once or twice, a cloud came threatening, with
chill and