The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-04-22
BOOK THE SECOND.

e.
CHAPTER 1.-THE PIoNIO DANCE. iori,
A fine spring, after winter Of nm
usual severity, promised we'll for the
prospects of the London season. i y !, a..'.' ,..
Among the social entertainments Of
the time general curiosity was excited
in the little sphere, which absurdly
describes itself under the big name Of
society, by the announcement Of party
to be given by Lady Loring, bearing
the quaint title Of . picnic dance. The
invitations were issued) ct an unusually
early hour, and il was understood that
nothing so solid and 30 commonplace %
the customary supper was to be offered
to the guests. In word, Lady Lor-
ing's ball was designed Is o bold
protest against late hours and heavy
midnight meals. The younger people
were all in favor Ct the proposed reform.
Their elders declined TO give sn opinion
beforehand.
In the small inner circle Of Lady
Loiing's most intimate friends il wAs
whispered that an innovation in the
matter Of refreshments was contemplated
which would put the tolerant principles
of the guests to severe test. Miss
Notman, the housekeeper, politely
threatening retirement on q small
annuity, since the memorable affair OF
the oyster omelette, decided on carrying
out her design when she heard that
there was to be no supper. "My at
tachment to the family can bear great
DEAL" she said. "But when Lady
Loring deliberately gives ball. with
out a supper, I must hide my. head
somewhere-andi it had better be out Of
the housed" Taking Miss hoffman a.
representative Of . class, the reception
Of the coming experiment looked. to
say the least Of il, doubtful.
On the appointed evening the guests
made one agreeable discovery when
they entered the reception rooms-they
were perfectly free to amuse themselves
as they liked.
The drAwing-rooms wsrs given up h
dancing. the picture gallery was devoted
to chamber music. Ohess-p players and
card-players found remote and quie'
rooms especially prepared for them
People who cared for nothing but talk
ing were accommodated 10 perfection II
. sphere OF their own. And lovers III
earnest or not In earnest) discovered
in . dimly-lit conservatory with man.
recesses, that ideal Of discreet retire
ment which combines solitude and 30
ciety under one roof.
But the ordering OF the refreshmsnt
failed. as had been foreseen. 70 share u
the approval conferred on the arrange
ment Of the rooms. The first impress
sion was unfAyorable. Lady Lorine
however, knew enough OF human natur
to leave results to two potent allies
r--~-..o anu sIliio.
Excepting the conservatory, tn
astonished guests could 60 nowher
without discovering tables prettil
decorated with flowers, and bearin
hundreds OF little pure white chin
plates, loaded with nothing but sand
wiches. All varieties Of opinion wsz
consulted. People Of ordinary tastes
who liked TO know what they were eal
ing, could choose conventional beef {
ham, incased in thin slices Of bread
. delicate flavor quite new TO then
Other persons, less easily pleased, we'
tempted by sandwiches Of pate dc 10
: gras, and by exquisite combinations
/ chicken and trufiies, reduced 70
creamy pulp which hung TO the bfe'
like butter. Foreigners. making eIpel
ments, and not averse 10 garlic. disco
cred the finest sausages OF Germany q
Italy transformed into English san
wiches. Anchovies and sardin
appeared in the same unexpected v
TO men who desire TO create IN artihc
thirst - after having first ESQ
tAinsd that the champagne '
something TO be fondly RENE
bersd and regretted, 1t oti
parties, TO the end Of the season. z
hospitabls proflsion ol The rslreshms'
wss sll-psFysdins sud insxhaustih
whsrsvss he guests might be, or y
sves ehsy vsro amusing thsmselv
thsrs were the pretty LITTLE white Pla
perpetually tempting them, Pso
] "a a. kax had naxar eat hafora. 1