This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...to grandeur and complexity! As I rose from the table the maid was called to the front door and when I came into the hall I found her holding out in both arms an enormous foreign-looking pasteboard package. "Has the man gone?" I asked quickly. "Yes, ma'am," was the reply. "Everything was paid, he said. ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ...to grandeur and complexity! As I rose from the table the maid was called to the front door and when I came into the hall I found her holding out in both arms an enormous foreign-looking pasteboard package. "Has the man gone?" I asked quickly. "Yes, ma'am," was the reply. "Everything was paid, he said. Where shall I take it, ma'am?" "Up-stairs," I said carelessly. "Is it heavy? Shall I help you?" "Oh, it's as light as a feather, ma'am, to what it looks," and with this she slowly mounted the stairs. By the time the package had been deposited on my bed I had no longer a ray of doubt as to its contents, and my low spirits had already given way to eager expectation. However, I concealed my eagerness until the maid was well out of the way; then with swift strokes I cut the numberless cords which had plainly been renewed in the Custom House, threw off the outer and inner covers, and drew out to sight my Carlier gown packed in folds of cotton and tissue with consummate skill. But the commonplace details of this kind were instantly forgotten when I saw the gown itself, for it was the most beautiful work of its kind which I had ever beheld. I laughed low to myself remembering all the patter about extreme simplicity, a narrow band of embroidery, the jeune fille effect, and all the other--lies. The gown was of finest cream white crepe, the front of the skirt and corsage, however, being composed largely of white satin of incredible fineness, embroidered by hand at intervals with pink sweetbrier roses and their leaves. The stamens were in gold thread topped by seed-pearls. The shoulder-straps were of flexible enamel on gold, a design of tiny closely crowded rosebuds. In the folds of the gown I...
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