The Baronet's Bride eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about The Baronet's Bride.

The Baronet's Bride eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about The Baronet's Bride.

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Many miles away from Kingsland Court, that same sultry, oppressive midsummer night a little third-rate theater on the Surrey side of London was crowded to overflowing.  There was a grand spectacular drama, full of transformation scenes, fairies, demons, spirits of air, fire, and water; a brazen orchestra blowing forth, and steam, and orange-peel, and suffocation generally.

Foremost among all the fairies and nymphs, noted for the shortness of her filmy skirts, the supple beauty of her shapely limbs, her incomparable dancing, and her dark, bright beauty, flashed La Sylphine before the foot-lights.

The best danseuse in the kingdom, and the prettiest, and invested with a magic halo of romance, La Sylphine shone like a meteor among lesser stars, and brought down thunders of applause every time she appeared.

The little feet twinkled and flashed; the long, dark waves of hair floated in a shining banner behind her to the tiny waist; the pale, upraised face—­the eyes ablaze like black stars!  Oh, surely La Sylphine was the loveliest thing, that hot June night, the gas-light shone on!

The fairy spectacle was over—­the green drop-curtain fell.  La Sylphine had smiled and dipped and kissed hands to thundering bravos for the last time that night, and now, behind the scenes, was rapidly exchanging the spangles and gossamer of fairydom for the shabby and faded merino shawl and dingy straw hat of every-day life.

“You danced better than ever to-night, Miss Monti,” a tall demon in tail and horns said, sauntering up to her.  “Them there pretty feet of your’n will make your fortune yet, and beat Fanny Ellsler!”

“Not to mention her pretty face,” said a brother fiend, removing his mask.  “Her fortune’s made already, if she’s a mind to take it.  There’s a gay young city swell a-waiting at the wings to see you home, Miss Monti.”

“Is it Maynard, the banker’s son?” she asked.

The second demon nodded.

“Then I must escape by the side entrance.  When he gets tired waiting, Mr. Smithers, give him La Sylphine’s compliments, and let him go.”

She glided past the demons down a dark and winding staircase, and out into the noisy, lighted street.

The girl paused an instant under a street-lamp—­she was only a girl—­fifteen or sixteen at most, though very tall, with a bright, fearless look—­then drawing her shawl closely round her, she flitted rapidly away.

The innumerable city clocks tolled heavily—­eleven.  The night was pitch-dark; the sheet-lightning blazed across the blackness, and now and then a big drop fell.  Still the girl sped on until she reached her destination.

It was the poorest and vilest quarter of the great city—­among reeking smells, and horrible sounds, and disgusting sights.  The house she entered was tottering to decay—­a dreadful den by day and by night, thronged with the very scum of the London streets.  Up and up a long stair-way she flew, paused at a door on the third landing, opened it, and went in.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
The Baronet's Bride from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.