Hence further reason for desiring
immediate nuptials: she could remove from the parlors the trace of
bi-marital collaboration.
At first only the most brilliant matches were planned for Harriet;
these one by one unaccountably came to naught. Later the mother
began to fall back: upon those young men who should be glad to
embrace such an opportunity; but these less desirable young men
failed to take that peculiar view of their destinies. In the
meanwhile the Misses Conyers had come on as debutantes and were
soon bespoken. At the marriage of the youngest, Harriet's mother
had her act as first bridesmaid and dressed her, already fading, as
though she were the very spirit of April.
The other sisters were long since gone, scattered north and south
with half-grown families; and the big house was almost empty save
when they came in troops to visit it.
Harriet's downward career as an article of human merchandise had
passed through what are perhaps not wholly unrecognizable stages.
At first she had been displayed near the entrance for immediate
purchase by the unwary. Then she had been marked down as something
that might be secured at a reduced price; but intending buyers
preferred to pay more. By and by even this label was taken off and
she became a remnant of stock for which there was no convenient
space--being moved from shelf to shelf, always a little more
shop-worn, a little more out of style. What was really needed was
an auction.
Pages:
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109