第97章

themarinersgoacrossthestagestaggering，asiftheshipwasinseveremotion。TheSteward(theHonourableG。

Ringwood)passesreelingby，holdingsixbasins。HeputsonerapidlybyLordSqueams——LadySqueams，givingapinchtoherdog，whichbeginstohowlpiteously，putsherpocket-handkerchieftoherface，andrushesawayasforthecabin。Themusicrisesuptothewildestpitchofstormyexcitement，andthethirdsyllableisconcluded。

Therewasalittleballet，“LeRossignol。”inwhichMontessuandNobletusedtobefamousinthosedays，andwhichMr。WaggtransferredtotheEnglishstageasanopera，puttinghisverse，ofwhichhewasaskilfulwriter，totheprettyairsoftheballet。ItwasdressedinoldFrenchcostume，andlittleLordSouthdownnowappearedadmirablyattiredinthedisguiseofanoldwomanhobblingaboutthestagewithafaultlesscrookedstick。

Trillsofmelodywereheardbehindthescenes，andgurglingfromasweetpasteboardcottagecoveredwithrosesandtrelliswork。”Philomele，Philomele。”criestheoldwoman，andPhilomelecomesout。

Moreapplause——itisMrs。RawdonCrawleyinpowderandpatches，themostravissantelittleMarquiseintheworld。

Shecomesinlaughing，humming，andfrisksaboutthestagewithalltheinnocenceoftheatricalyouth——shemakesacurtsey。Mammasays“Why，child，youarealwayslaughingandsinging。”andawayshegoes，with——

THEROSEUPONMYBALCONY

TheroseuponmybalconythemorningairperfumingWasleaflessallthewintertimeandpiningforthespring；

Youaskmewhyherbreathissweetandwhyhercheekisblooming，Itisbecausethesunisoutandbirdsbegintosing。

Thenightingale，whosemelodyisthroughthegreenwoodringing，Wassilentwhentheboughswerebareandwindswereblowingkeen：

Andif，Mamma，youaskofmethereasonofhissinging，Itisbecausethesunisoutandalltheleavesaregreen。

Thuseachperformshispart，Mamma，thebirdshavefoundtheirvoices，Theblowingroseaflush，Mamma，herbonnycheektodye；

Andthere’ssunshineinmyheart，Mamma，whichwakensandrejoices，AndsoIsingandblush，Mamma，andthat’sthereasonwhy。

Duringtheintervalsofthestanzasofthisditty，thegood-naturedpersonageaddressedasMammabythesinger，andwhoselargewhiskersappearedunderhercap，seemedveryanxioustoexhibithermaternalaffectionbyembracingtheinnocentcreaturewhoperformedthedaughter’spart。Everycaresswasreceivedwithloudacclamationsoflaughterbythesympathizingaudience。

Atitsconclusion(whilethemusicwasperformingasymphonyasifeversomanybirdswerewarbling)thewholehousewasunanimousforanencore：andapplauseandbouquetswithoutendwereshoweredupontheNightingaleoftheevening。LordSteyne’svoiceofapplausewasloudestofall。Becky，thenightingale，tooktheflowerswhichhethrewtoherandpressedthemtoherheartwiththeairofaconsummatecomedian。LordSteynewasfranticwithdelight。Hisguests’enthusiasmharmonizedwithhisown。Wherewasthebeautifulblack-eyedHouriwhoseappearanceinthefirstcharadehadcausedsuchdelight？ShewastwiceashandsomeasBecky，butthebrilliancyofthelatterhadquiteeclipsedher。Allvoiceswereforher。Stephens，Caradori，RonzideBegnis，peoplecomparedhertooneortheother，andagreedwithgoodreason，verylikely，thathadshebeenanactressnoneonthestagecouldhavesurpassedher。

Shehadreachedherculmination：hervoicerosetrillingandbrightoverthestormofapplause，andsoaredashighandjoyfulashertriumph。Therewasaballafterthedramaticentertainments，andeverybodypressedroundBeckyasthegreatpointofattractionoftheevening。TheRoyalPersonagedeclaredwithanoaththatshewasperfection，andengagedheragainandagaininconversation。LittleBecky’ssoulswelledwithprideanddelightatthesehonours；shesawfortune，fame，fashionbeforeher。LordSteynewasherslave，followedhereverywhere，andscarcelyspoketoanyoneintheroombeside，andpaidherthemostmarkedcomplimentsandattention。ShestillappearedinherMarquisecostumeanddancedaminuetwithMonsieurdeTruffigny，MonsieurLeDucdelaJabotiere’sattache；andtheDuke，whohadallthetraditionsoftheancientcourt，pronouncedthatMadameCrawleywasworthytohavebeenapupilofVestris，ortohavefiguredatVersailles。

Onlyafeelingofdignity，thegout，andthestrongestsenseofdutyandpersonalsacrificepreventedhisExcellencyfromdancingwithherhimself，andhedeclaredinpublicth