雙語譯林·小婦人 第九章 美格涉足名利場 MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
- 第九章 美格涉足名利場
- CHAPTER 9 MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
第九章 美格涉足名利場
“那幫孩子現(xiàn)在出麻疹，真是天賜良機。”美格說。這是四月的一天，她在房間里整理出門做客的行李，妹妹們圍在身邊。
“安妮·莫法特真好，說話算話。整整兩個禮拜玩它個痛快。”喬一邊答道，一邊伸長胳膊把幾件裙子疊起來，樣子活像一架風車。
“天氣也很好，喜歡這樣。”貝絲接著說，從她的寶貝箱子里仔細地挑出幾條領圈和發(fā)帶，借給美格去參加這次重要聚會。
“但愿是我出去過好日子，戴上所有這些漂亮的東西。”艾美說。她嘴里銜了一包針，美觀地插入姐姐的針墊里。
“但愿你們都去，可那不可能，只能回來時再說故事了。你們對我這么好，把東西借給我，又幫我整理東西，這點小事肯定能辦到。”美格說著，掃視了一下房間，最后把目光落在簡單的行李上，可這在她們眼里幾乎是完美的了。
“媽媽從百寶箱里拿出了什么給你？”艾美問。馬奇太太有個杉木箱子，里頭裝著幾件曾經(jīng)輝煌時的舊物，準備到時候送給女兒們。那天打開箱子時，艾美不在場。
“一雙長筒絲襪，那把漂亮的雕花扇子，還有可愛的藍色腰帶。我原想要那件紫羅蘭色的真絲裙子，來不及改制了，只好穿我那條舊塔勒坦紗裙。”
“穿在我的新薄紗裙子外面很配，襯上腰帶就更漂亮了。真后悔我的珊瑚手鐲給砸壞了，不然你可以戴上。”喬說。她慷慨大方，什么都肯出借，只是東西大都破舊不堪，派不上什么用場。
“百寶箱里有一套漂亮的舊式珍珠首飾，但媽媽說鮮花才是年輕姑娘最美麗的飾物，而勞里答應我要什么就送什么。”美格回答，“來，讓我看看，這是新的灰色旅行衣——把羽毛卷進我帽子里，貝絲——那是禮拜天和小型晚會穿的府綢裙子——春天穿顯得沉了點，對吧？如果是紫羅蘭色的真絲裙子就好了，唉！”
“不要緊，參加大型晚會還有塔勒坦連衣裙呢，再說，你穿白衣裳就像個天使。”艾美說道，望著那一小堆漂亮衣飾，心馳神往。
“不是低領，裙擺拖曳效果也不夠，但也只好將就一下了。我那件藍色家居服倒是挺好，翻了新，還剛剛鑲了飾邊，感覺和新的一樣。我的絲綢寬松衫一點都不時髦，帽子也不像薩莉那頂。我原不想多說，但我對自己的傘失望極了。原叫媽媽買一把白柄黑傘，她卻忘了，帶回一把黃柄綠傘。這把傘結實精致，不該抱怨，但跟安妮那把金頂綢傘相比，就要無地自容了。”美格嘆息著，極不滿意地審視著那把小傘。
“去把它換了。”喬提議。
“我不會這么傻，媽為我花錢已經(jīng)很不容易了，不想傷她的心。這只是我的荒唐想法罷了，不會陷進去的。絲襪和兩雙新手套足慰平生。你把自己的借給我，真是好妹妹。我有兩雙新的，舊的也洗得干干凈凈，平常使用，覺得已經(jīng)十分富裕氣派了。”美格又朝她放手套的盒子瞥了一眼，情緒大漲。
“安妮·莫法特的晚禮帽上頭，有幾個藍色和粉紅蝴蝶結，你可以幫我打上幾個嗎？”她問，這時貝絲拿來一堆剛剛從漢娜手中接過的雪白薄紗。
“不，不好，因為漂亮的帽子跟沒有飾邊的素凈衣服不配。”喬斷然說道。
“不知道到底我有沒有福氣穿有真花邊的衣服、戴打蝴蝶結的帽子呢？”美格熱切地說。
“那天你還說，只要可以去安妮·莫法特家，就心滿意足了。”貝絲輕聲評論。
“是說過的！哦，我是很滿足，不會煩惱了。似乎人得到的越多，胃口也就越大，對不？噢，行了，隔底放好了，一切齊備，就剩舞會禮服了，那要等媽來收拾。”美格說著，眼光從裝得半滿的行李箱落到熨補過多次、她鄭重其事地稱為“舞會禮服”的白色塔勒坦薄紗裙上，心情愉快起來。
第二天天氣晴朗，美格氣派地出發(fā)了，去領略兩個禮拜的新奇樂趣。馬奇太太好不容易同意，生怕美格回來時對家里會更加不滿意。但美格極力懇求，而且薩莉也答應照顧她；再說，整個冬天美格都在做煩悶的工作，出去消遣一下也是一大快事。最后，母親終于做出讓步，答應讓女兒去初次品嘗時尚生活的滋味。
莫法特家確實很趕時髦，樓房富麗堂皇，主人優(yōu)雅端莊，純樸的美格見了心里發(fā)虛。盡管那家過的是浮夸生活，可她們待人熱忱，沒過多久，這位客人便不再拘束。不知為什么，美格隱隱感到，她們教養(yǎng)有限，智力一般，而且闊氣掩蓋不了平庸的本質。當然，乘漂亮的馬車，每天都錦衣華服，一個勁兒地玩樂，這樣養(yǎng)尊處優(yōu)的日子很愜意，也正合美格的心意。不久，美格便開始學著周圍人的言談舉止，擺點小架子，裝腔作勢，說話時還帶幾句法語，把頭發(fā)卷曲，把衣服改小，盡可能評論流行時尚。安妮·莫法特的漂亮東西，美格看得越多越眼紅，也越渴望發(fā)財?，F(xiàn)在想起來，自己家徒四壁，工作也格外艱辛，盡管有新手套和真絲長襪，可她還是覺得自己一無所有，深感委屈。
不過，她沒有太多的時間抱怨，因為這三位小姑娘在忙于享受“美好時光”。她們白天逛商店、散步、騎馬、探親訪友；晚上，上戲院、看歌劇或者在家里嬉鬧。安妮交友甚廣，深知待客之道。她的姐姐們都是漂亮小姐，其中一位已經(jīng)訂婚，美格覺得訂婚是極有趣極浪漫的。莫法特先生是位富態(tài)樂天的老紳士，與美格的父親相識；莫法特太太也是位肥胖、快樂的老太太，她跟女兒一樣十分喜歡美格。所有人都寵愛她，親切地稱她為“黛茜”，寵得美格真有點頭腦發(fā)熱。
到了“小舞會”的那天晚上，她發(fā)現(xiàn)別人都穿上了薄薄的衣服，打扮得漂漂亮亮的，相比之下，自己的府綢衣服根本不行。于是塔勒坦紗裙出場了，可與薩莉挺括嶄新的塔勒坦裙子一比，立刻顯得陳舊不堪、又皺又破。美格看到姑娘們瞥了一眼，接著面面相覷，面頰頓時漲得通紅，因為盡管她生性溫柔，畢竟自尊心十足。大家一個字都沒說，可薩莉提出幫她梳理頭發(fā)，安妮提出為她系腰帶，貝爾，就是已經(jīng)訂婚的那位姐姐，稱贊她手臂潔白。在美格看來，她們的好意只不過是同情她貧窮。她心情十分沉重，獨自站在一邊，而其他人有說有笑，還像翩翩蝴蝶到處飛奔。美格正感到十分難受痛苦時，女傭送來一盒鮮花。沒等她開口，安妮就揭開蓋子?？吹嚼锩孢@些美麗的玫瑰、杜鵑和綠蕨，眾人都驚叫起來。
“肯定是給貝爾的，喬治經(jīng)常給她送的。這些花真的令人陶醉。”安妮深深地聞了一下鮮花，大聲咋呼。
“那位先生說，這些花是送給馬奇小姐的。這兒有張紙條。”女傭插話道，說著把紙條遞給美格。
“多有意思！會是誰送的呢？以前并不知道你有情人。”姑娘們呼喊著，紛紛圍住美格，顯得十分好奇。
“紙條是媽媽寫的，花是勞里送的。”美格簡單地說。不過，她心里非常感激勞里沒有忘記她。
“真的啊！”安妮說，臉上帶著一種滑稽的表情。美格把紙條塞進口袋，把它當作戰(zhàn)勝嫉妒、名利和孤傲的法寶。寥寥數(shù)語充滿深情，她感覺好多了，美麗的鮮花更使她高興起來。
美格幾乎恢復了愉快的心情，她拈出幾支綠蕨和玫瑰留給自己，隨即將剩下的分成幾把精美的花束，分贈給朋友們點綴在胸前、頭發(fā)和衣裙上。她做得這么漂亮，大姐克拉拉不禁稱她為“她所見到的最甜美的小家伙”，眾人也為她的小小心意所感動。這一善舉把她的沮喪心情打發(fā)走了。大家都跑到莫法特太太跟前展覽去了，她獨個兒把幾支綠蕨插在自己的鬈發(fā)上，又把幾朵玫瑰在裙子上別好，這時裙子在心目中變得不那么難看了，一照鏡子，看到了一張喜氣洋洋、雙目明亮的臉孔。
那天晚上，她玩得很痛快，盡情地跳舞。所有人都很熱情，她獲得了三次贊揚。安妮請她唱歌，有人稱贊她嗓子非常甜美；林肯少校問那位“長著漂亮眼睛、充滿青春活力的小姑娘”是誰；還有晚上，莫法特先生堅持要請她跳舞，說她“不拖泥帶水，舞步輕盈”，他說得極為動聽。總之，她度過了一段美好的時光。后來，無意中聽到一些議論，她不禁方寸大亂。當時，她正坐在暖房門口，等舞伴給她送冰淇淋，突然聽到花墻的另一邊有個聲音問：
“她多大了？”
“我想，也就十六七歲吧。”另一個聲音回答。
“那些姑娘中總有一個會碰到這種絕妙好事，你說對吧？聽薩莉說，他們現(xiàn)在關系很親密，老先生也很溺愛她們。”
“我敢說，馬奇太太自有打算，雖然早了點，可這把牌她會打得很好。顯然，姑娘們還沒想到這一點呢。”莫法特太太說。
“她剛才在胡扯，說紙條是她媽寫的，好像她已經(jīng)知道了?？甚r花送來的時候，你看她的臉都紅成什么樣子了?？蓱z的人哪！要是她打扮得入時一點，確實很漂亮。要是我們在禮拜四把衣服借給她，你覺得她會生氣嗎？”另一個聲音問。
“她很高傲，不過，我想不會介意的，畢竟她只有那條難看的塔勒坦布裙子。今天晚上她可能會撕破裙子，那樣就有理由借給她一條像樣的裙子啦。”
“再說吧。我要去邀請小勞倫斯，當然是特意為了她，到時我們就等著看好戲吧。”
這邊，美格的舞伴過來了，發(fā)現(xiàn)她臉色通紅，且神色頗為不安。聽了剛才這些話，她感到既屈辱又氣又惡心。她確實很高傲，那時也幸虧這樣，她才沒有發(fā)作。她再天真無邪，可還是能明白朋友們的這些閑話。她努力忘記它，可就是忘不掉，心頭一直縈繞著“馬奇太太自有打算”“胡扯”“難看的塔勒坦布裙子”這些字句。她真想痛哭一場，然后飛奔回家，把苦惱告訴家人，求教于她們。可做不到，她只能強顏歡笑。由于她顯得神情激動，倒并沒有露出半點破綻來，沒人想得到她是在強裝笑臉。她很高興舞會終于結束了，便靜靜地躺在床上，思考、疑惑、氣憤，一直想到頭痛，還有幾滴涼絲絲的眼淚落在熱辣辣的臉頰上。那些荒唐的好意之言，為美格打開了一個新的世界，在此之前，她一直都在舊的天地里孩子般地快樂生活，可這些閑話擾亂了那份寧靜。她與勞里純真的友誼也因為這些無聊話而被玷污了，她對母親的信任也因莫法特太太小肚雞腸的一席世故話而有些許動搖。她原以為自己是窮人家的女兒，應滿足于樸素的穿著，想不到姑娘們無端憐憫，把邋遢衣服看成是天底下最大的災難。她的理性決斷遭到削弱。
可憐的美格一夜輾轉反側，起床時眼皮沉重，心情極壞。她既怨自己的朋友無事生非，又愧自己不敢坦白真相，以正視聽。那天早上，姑娘們?nèi)紤袘猩⑸?，直到中午時分才提起勁頭打毛線。美格馬上意識到，她的朋友們舉止異常。她們待她更加敬重，對她的言談十分關注，并且用頗好奇的眼光看著她。這一切令她既驚奇又得意，只是無法理解。最后，貝爾寫字時抬起頭來，傷感地說：
“黛茜，親愛的，我給你男友勞倫斯先生送了一份請?zhí)?，請他禮拜四過來。我們也想認識認識他，這可是特意為你而請的喲。”
美格紅了臉，但她突然想捉弄一下這些姑娘們，于是裝作一本正經(jīng)地回答：
“你們的心意我領了，只是恐怕他不會來。”
“為什么，chérie[1]? ”貝爾小姐問。
“他太老了。”
“孩子，你說什么？請問，他究竟有多大年紀？”克拉拉小姐嚷道。
“差不多七十了吧，我想。”美格答道，數(shù)數(shù)打了多少針，拼命忍住笑。
“你這狡猾的家伙！我們指的當然是年輕的那位。”貝爾小姐笑了，喊道。
“哪里有什么年輕人！勞里只是個小男孩。”姐妹們聽到美格這樣形容自己的所謂“情人”，不禁互相使了個古怪的眼色，美格見狀也笑了。
“和你年紀相仿。”南妮說。
“和我喬妹妹年紀差不多，我八月份就十七了。”美格把頭一仰，答道。
“他真棒，給你送鮮花，對吧？”不識趣的安妮還在說。
“對，他經(jīng)常這樣做，送給我們?nèi)胰?，因為他們家里多的是，而我們又是這么喜歡鮮花。你們知道，我媽和勞倫斯老先生是朋友，兩家孩子在一起玩，是相當自然的事情。”美格希望她們住嘴。
“顯然黛茜還沒有進入社交圈。”克拉拉小姐朝貝爾點點頭說。
“田園鄉(xiāng)間，天真無邪。”貝爾小姐聳聳肩說道。
“我準備出門給我家姑娘們買點東西，各位小姐要我捎點什么嗎？”穿著一身鑲邊綢裙子的莫法特太太像頭大笨象一樣緩緩走進屋來，問道。
“不用費心了，太太，”薩莉回答，“我禮拜四已經(jīng)有一條粉紅色的新綢裙子，什么都不缺了。”
“我也不——”美格欲言又止，她突然想到，自己確實想要幾樣東西，卻得不到。
“那天你穿什么？”薩莉問。
“還是那條白色的舊裙子，要是我能把它補得能見人的話，昨晚可惜給撕破了。”美格想盡量講得自然，卻感到很不自在。
“為什么不捎信回家再要一條？”不善鑒貌辨色的薩莉追問道。
“只有這一條嘛。”美格好不容易才說出這話。但薩莉仍然沒有明白過來，她友好地驚叫起來：
“只有那么一條？真好笑——”她的話沒說完，貝爾趕忙朝她搖頭，插進來友善地說：
“不好笑，她又不進社交圈，要這么多衣服有什么用？黛茜，即使你有一打，也不必跟家里要。我有一條漂亮的藍色綢裙子，我已經(jīng)穿不下，白白擱著，不如你來穿上，遂遂我的心意，好嗎，乖乖？”
“謝謝你的好意，但如果你們不在意，我倒不在乎穿舊裙子，像我這樣的小姑娘，再適合不過了。”美格說。
“請你一定讓我把你打扮得氣派一點。我就喜歡這樣做。上下打扮齊整了，你準是個標準的小美人。我要把你打扮好了，才讓你見人，然后我們像灰姑娘和仙姑參加舞會一樣突然亮相。”貝爾用富有說服力的聲調(diào)說。
美格無法拒絕如此友善的提議，她很想看看，自己打扮后是否會變成個小美人，于是點頭同意，把原來對莫法特一家不舒服的感覺拋在腦后。
禮拜四晚上，貝爾和女傭關起門來，一起把美格打扮成漂亮小姐。她們把美格的頭發(fā)燙彎，脖子和胳膊上撲了香粉，為了使雙唇更紅潤，又涂了深紅色的唇膏，要不是美格反抗，女傭霍滕斯還要給她抹一點胭脂。她們給她套上天藍色的裙子，裙子緊得讓她都透不過氣來，而且領口很低，正派的美格站在鏡子前，看著自己一個勁兒地臉紅。接著她們又給她戴上一套銀首飾：手鐲、項鏈、胸針，還有耳環(huán)，霍滕斯用一根細得看不見的粉紅色絲線把它們都串在一起。胸前戴上一束香水月季花苞，還有一條褶裥花邊遮著。美格終于同意露出楚楚動人的潔白雙肩，再加一雙藍色高跟綢靴，令她心滿意足。拿上一塊鑲有花邊的手帕、一把羽毛扇和銀夾子夾著的一束鮮花，她打扮齊整了。貝爾小姐滿意地審視美格，就像一個小姑娘端詳打扮一新的玩偶。
“小姐真charmante, très jolie1[2]，不是嗎？”霍滕斯做作地拍手歡叫。
“出去讓大家瞧瞧吧。”貝爾小姐說，一邊領美格去見在房間里等著的姑娘們。
美格拖著長裙跟在后面，裙子窸窣有聲，耳環(huán)叮當作響，鬈發(fā)上下波動，心兒怦怦猛跳。剛才那面鏡子已明明白白地告訴她，自己是個小美人，她覺得似乎她的“好戲”真的已經(jīng)開始了。朋友們熱情洋溢，反復說著溢美之詞；她站在那里好一陣，好像寓言里的鷯哥，盡情享受著借來的羽毛，眾人則像一班喜鵲，唧唧喳喳地叫個不停。
“南妮，趁我換衣裳，你教她走步，別讓她被裙子和法式高跟鞋絆倒了?？死?，你用銀蝴蝶發(fā)卡，把她左鬢的那綹長鬈發(fā)夾起來。你們誰也別弄糟了我這一手漂亮功夫啊。”貝爾說著匆匆走開，對自己的成功顯得相當?shù)靡狻?/p>
“我不敢走下去，覺得頭暈目眩，身子僵硬，好像只穿了一半衣服。”美格對薩莉說。此時鈴聲響起，莫法特太太派人來請小姐們立即赴會。
“大不一樣咯，不過這樣很漂亮。跟你比，我都無地自容了。瞧，貝爾多有品位，當然你也蠻有法國人的味道，真的。就讓花這么掛著，不用太在意，當心摔倒。”薩莉說著，努力裝出一副不在乎美格掠美的樣子。
瑪格麗特牢記這個告誡，安然下樓，緩緩地走入客廳，莫法特一家和幾位早到的客人都聚集在那里。她很快發(fā)現(xiàn)，華麗的衣服有一種魅力，總能吸引某類人的注目禮。有幾位小姐以前從不注意她，可一下子熱情起來；幾位年輕紳士在上一場舞會中只是盯了她一眼，而現(xiàn)在他們不光是盯著她看，還要求與她認識，對她講了各種愚蠢的貼心話；還有幾位老太太坐在沙發(fā)上，喜歡對大家品頭論足，也饒有興趣地打聽她的身份。只聽莫法特太太對其中的一位說：
“黛茜·馬奇的父親是上校軍官，是我們家的遠親，可現(xiàn)在家道中落，可惜吧？她們也是勞倫斯家的密友，告訴你，她可溫柔著呢，我家內(nèi)德對她可癡迷呢。”
“啊！原來是這樣。”老太太說著，戴上眼鏡又把美格審視了一遍。美格假裝沒聽到，心里還是很吃驚，莫法特太太竟然胡說八道。
頭暈目眩的感覺還沒有消失，可美格想象自己就是在扮演一位優(yōu)雅小姐的新角色，因此她表現(xiàn)頗為得體；哪怕裙子太緊，束得她兩肋隱隱作痛，腳底下不斷地踩著裙裾；盡管她還膽戰(zhàn)心驚，唯恐那對耳環(huán)會甩出去，弄丟或者摔破。旁邊一個小紳士正在想方設法賣弄詼諧，講著一些并不可笑的笑話，她搖著扇子咯咯地笑。突然，笑聲戛然而止，只見她不知所措。因為，就在對面，她看見了勞里。他盯著她，毫不掩飾心中的詫異，且不以為然。這她感覺得到，盡管勞里屈身鞠躬，面帶笑容，可他真誠的雙眼里流露出一種目光，使她臉紅，都怪自己沒穿上舊裙子。她看到，貝爾胳膊肘推推安妮，然后兩個人都把目光轉向勞里，這使她心里更加煩亂。好在勞里生性靦腆，看上去特別像個孩子，她才放寬心。
“這些人真無聊，都想到哪里去了！反正我不在乎，也絲毫不會變色的。”美格心想，趕忙窸窸窣窣地跨過房間去和朋友握手。
“你能來我很高興，本來還怕你不來了。”她裝出一副大人的口氣說。
“是喬要我來的，回去還要匯報你打扮得怎樣，于是我就來了。”勞里回答，眼睛并沒有朝她看，只是暗自取笑她的母親般口吻。
“那你打算怎么跟她說呢？”美格問。她急切想知道他對自己怎么看，可心里第一次感到忐忑不安。
“我想說，都認不出來了。你看上去這么像大人，實在不像你自己了，我很害怕這種陌生。”他說著，撫摸著手套上的扣子。
“真荒唐！姑娘們把我打扮成這模樣，是覺得好玩，我也挺喜歡的。要是喬看到的話，她會不會盯著我看？”美格問，一心想要他說出她這個樣子是否比以前有長進。
“是的，我想她會的。”勞里黯然地回答。
“難道你不喜歡我這樣嗎？”美格問。
“我不喜歡。”勞里生硬地答道。
“為什么？”美格急切地問。
他掃了一眼鬈鬈的頭發(fā)，裸露的肩膀，花里胡哨的裙子，回答中不見了往常彬彬有禮的風度，那種神情更使美格窘迫不安。
“我不欣賞過分炫耀。”
這話竟然出自比她年輕的小伙子之口，美格怎么也聽不下去。于是她走開了，冷冷地扔下一句話：“從沒見過你這樣無禮的男孩子。”
美格火冒三丈，她來到一個沒人的窗口，站在那里讓涼風吹拂火辣辣的臉頰，緊繃的裙子繃得她臉色通紅，極不舒服。她站在那里時，林肯少校從身旁經(jīng)過。不一會兒，美格聽到他跟他母親說：“她們在戲弄那個小姑娘。我本來想讓你見見她，可她們把她徹底毀了，今晚她只是個布娃娃而已。”
“哦，天哪！”美格嘆了口氣，“我真該放聰明點。如果 我穿上自己的衣服，那樣就不會惹別人惡心，自己也不會這么不舒服。”
她把額頭靠在冰涼的窗欞上面，讓窗簾半掩著自己的身影，拿手的華爾茲已經(jīng)開始，也全然不覺。這時，一個人碰碰她，她回過身來，看到了勞里。他一臉悔意，畢恭畢敬向她鞠了個躬，伸出手來說：
“恕我一時無禮，來和我跳個舞吧。”
“恐怕這不合你的口味吧。”美格試圖裝出一副生氣的樣子，卻一點也裝不出來。
“沒的事情，巴不得呢。來吧，我會學好的。雖然不喜歡你的衣服，但我真的覺得你——反正漂亮極了。”他揮揮手，似乎語言還不足以表達他的仰慕之情。
美格一笑，回心轉意了。當他們站在一起等著合上音樂節(jié)拍時，她悄悄說道：
“小心裙子把你絆倒，我受盡折磨，穿上它真是個戇頭鵝。”
“你可以把裙擺圍著領口別起來，這樣它還能發(fā)揮點作用。”勞里說著，低頭看看那雙小藍靴，顯然對它們倒很滿意。
他們敏捷而優(yōu)雅地邁開舞步，由于在家里練習過，這對活潑的年輕人配合得相當默契，給舞場平添了快樂的風景線。他們歡快地旋轉起舞，覺得經(jīng)歷了這次小口角之后，彼此更加接近了。
“勞里，我想請你幫個忙，好嗎？”美格問。她剛跳一會兒便氣喘吁吁地停下來，也不解釋，勞里便站在一邊替她扇扇子。
“那還用說！”勞里欣然回答。
“回到家里，千萬不要告訴她們我今天晚上的打扮。她們不會明白這個玩笑，媽媽聽到會擔心的。”
“那你為什么這樣做？”勞里的眼睛顯然是在這樣問。美格急得又說：
“我會親自把一切告訴她們，向媽媽坦白我有多傻。但我寧愿自己來說，你別說，行嗎？”
“我向你保證守口如瓶，只是她們問我時該怎樣回答？”
“就說我看上去挺好，玩得很開心。”
“第一項我會全心全意地說的，只是第二項怎么說？你看上去并不像玩得開心，不是嗎？”勞里盯著她，那種神情促使她悄聲說道：
“是，剛才是不開心。不要以為我那么討厭。我只是想找樂子，但我發(fā)現(xiàn)這種樂子毫無益處，我已經(jīng)開始厭倦了。”
“內(nèi)德·莫法特過來了，他想干什么？”勞里邊說邊皺起黑色的眉頭，仿佛并不認為這位小主人的到來可以增加樂趣。
“他訂下了三場舞，我想他是來找舞伴的。煩死人！”美格說完擺出一副倦怠的神情，把勞里也逗樂了。
他一直到晚飯時候才再跟美格說上話，當時她正跟內(nèi)德和內(nèi)德的朋友費希爾一起喝香檳。勞里認為那兩人是一對“十足的傻瓜”，他覺得自己有權像兄弟一樣監(jiān)護馬奇姐妹，必要時站出來保護她們。
“喝那玩意兒，明天就會頭痛欲裂，我可不喝。美格，你看，你媽媽不喜歡這樣的。”他在她椅邊俯下身來低聲說道，此時內(nèi)德正轉身給她續(xù)杯，費希爾則彎腰撿起了她的扇子。
“今天晚上我不是美格，而是個輕狂得無惡不作的‘布娃娃’。明天我就會收拾起這副‘過分炫耀’的嘴臉，拼命學好。”她皮笑肉不笑地答道。
“但愿明天已經(jīng)到來啊。”勞里咕噥著，怏怏走開了?？吹剿兂蛇@副樣子，他心里很不是滋味。
美格一邊跳舞一邊調(diào)情賣俏，嘀嘀咕咕地聊著，傻笑著，就像別的姑娘們一樣。晚飯后，她跳德國華爾茲舞，自始至終跌跌撞撞，長裙子也差點把舞伴絆倒。勞里見到她這種瞎蹦亂跳的模樣心生反感。他一邊看著，心里想好了一番數(shù)落的話，卻沒有機會發(fā)表，因為美格總是躲著他。一直到舞會結束，勞里才得機會過去向她道晚安。
“記??！”她說道，強顏歡笑著，頭痛欲裂已經(jīng)開始了。
“守口如瓶，至死不渝。”勞里夸張地拖著長音，轉身離去。
這小小的插曲激起了安妮的好奇心，但美格累得不想再扯閑話，上床歇息了。她覺得自己像參加了一場化裝舞會，卻玩得并不盡興。第二天，她整天都不舒服，到了禮拜六，就回家了。她已經(jīng)被兩個禮拜的玩樂弄得筋疲力盡，感到自己已經(jīng)享受夠了“奢侈的生活”。
“安安靜靜的生活真好，不用整天客套應酬。家里雖然不漂亮，可真的是舒服。”美格說，安詳?shù)刈箢櫽遗巍６Y拜天晚上，她和母親及喬坐在一起聊天。
“聽到你這么說，我很高興，乖乖。我本來還擔心，你去過了豪宅，會覺得家里又破又無聊。”母親回答，那天她不止一次地看著美格，滿臉擔憂的神情。其實，慈母的眼睛，一眼就能察覺孩子們臉上的絲毫變化。
美格高興地講了她的經(jīng)歷，接著一遍又一遍地重復，說她度過了一段多么美好的時光，可還是心事重重的樣子?？吹矫妹脗兌忌洗菜X去了，她若有所思地坐著，兩眼盯著爐火，沉默寡言，滿面愁容。時鐘敲響了九點，喬提出要去睡覺，美格突然站了起來，坐到貝絲的凳子上，雙肘靠在母親膝上，鼓足勇氣說：
“媽咪，我要向您坦白一切。”
“早就想到了。你要說什么，乖乖？”
“要我回避嗎？”喬謹慎地問。
“不用不用，我有什么事瞞過你？在小妹妹們面前我不好意思說。我在莫法特家做了不少可怕的事情，我想你們應該了解。”
“說吧。”馬奇太太微笑著說，顯得有些擔憂。
“我已經(jīng)說過，她們把我打扮起來?？晌覜]跟你們說，她們給我抹粉、穿緊身裙、燙頭發(fā)，把我弄得像個時髦女郎。勞里覺得那樣不妥當，我知道他是這么想的，盡管嘴里沒說。還有人叫我‘布娃娃’。我知道這樣很笨，可她們討好我，夸我是個大美人，還說了一大堆廢話，于是就任由她們作弄了。”
“就這些？”喬問。馬奇太太則靜靜地注視著漂亮女兒低垂的臉，不忍心再責備她干了那些瑣碎的蠢事。
“不，我還喝了香檳，和別人戲鬧追打，還學著調(diào)情，總之令人惡心。”美格責備自己。
“看樣子還有吧。”馬奇太太撫摸著那張嬌嫩的臉。突然，美格臉色通紅，支支吾吾地說：
“還有，都很無聊，想說出來，因為我最恨別人這樣議論我們和勞里的關系。”
隨后，她便把在莫法特家聽到的閑言碎語一一講了出來。美格說的時候，喬看到母親咬緊嘴唇，竟有人在美格純真的心靈里灌輸這種想法，似乎令她十分不快。
“哎呀，敢說這是我聽到過的最混賬的廢話！”喬義憤填膺得叫了起來，“你為什么不當場跳出來說個明白？”
“做不到，這太難為情了。起初是不由自主聽到的，但后來我又怒又羞，倒沒想起該走開了。”
“待我看到安妮·莫法特，你看我怎么教訓她！什么‘早有打算’，什么對勞里好是因為他家有錢，以后會娶我們！如果我告訴他，那些無聊的東西是怎樣談論我們窮孩子的，他不叫起來才怪！”喬說著笑起來，似乎這種事情回想起來不過是個大笑話而已。
“如果你告訴勞里，我就跟你沒完！不能說，對嗎，媽媽？”美格焦慮地說道。
“對，千萬不要重復那種愚昧的閑話，要盡快忘掉。”馬奇太太嚴肅地說，“我讓你置身于那些我了解甚少的人們中間，真是很不明智——我敢說，他們心地不壞，但精于世故，缺乏教養(yǎng)，對年輕人滿腦子粗俗念頭。我對這次出訪可能對你造成的傷害，說不出有多么難過，美格。”
“不要難過，我不會因此而受傷害的。我會把壞的全拋到腦后，只記住好的，因為確實也玩得很盡興，很感謝您讓我去。我不會因此而傷心，也不會不知足，媽媽。我知道自己是個傻傻的小姑娘，我會留在您身邊，直到可以自己照顧自己。不過，讓人家夸贊、仰慕，心里真是美滋滋的。我還是忍不住要說心里美滋滋哩。”美格說道，對自己的坦白內(nèi)容顯得有點不好意思。
“這再自然不過了，如果這種美滋滋不釀成狂熱，不會導致做傻事或做姑娘家不該做的事情，那就無傷大雅。要學會認識、珍惜名副其實的贊美話，用端莊美麗來激發(fā)優(yōu)秀人士的敬意，美格。”
瑪格麗特坐著想了一會，喬則背手而立，神情專注，又帶著幾分迷惑。她看到美格紅著臉談論愛慕、情人之類的東西，倒是新鮮事。喬覺得，姐姐似乎在那半個月里驚人地長大了，從她身邊飄走，飄進了一個她不能跟隨的世界。
“媽媽，你有沒有莫法特太太所說的那類‘打算’呢？”美格含羞問道。
“有，乖乖，多著呢；凡是做母親的都有打算，但我的打算恐怕跟莫法特太太有出入啊。我會告訴你一些。時候到了，你小腦袋、心里已經(jīng)有浪漫念頭，稍加點撥就會想到這種嚴肅的課題上來。你還小，美格，但也不至于幼稚得不明白我的話。這種話，由母親來跟你們小姑娘說再合適不過了。喬，也許很快就會輪到你的，也一起來聽聽我的‘打算’吧。如果是好打算，就幫我一起執(zhí)行。”
喬走過去坐到椅子扶手上，看樣子她以為她們就要參加到什么極莊嚴的事情中去。馬奇太太執(zhí)著兩個女兒的手，若有所思地望著兩張年輕的面龐，語調(diào)嚴肅而輕快地說：
“我希望女兒們美麗善良，多才多藝；眾人愛慕，世人敬重；青春幸福，姻緣美滿。愿上帝垂愛，使她們盡量無憂無慮，生活愉快而有意義。被好男人愛上娶走，是女人一生中最大的幸事。我熱切希望我的姑娘們可以有這種美麗的經(jīng)歷?？紤]這種事情是很自然的事，美格，期望和等待也是對的，做好準備是明智的。這樣，幸福時刻到來時，你才會覺得已準備擔責，無愧于這種喜事。好女兒們，我對你們寄予厚望，但并不是要你們莽撞行事——僅僅為了金錢，便嫁入豪門。這些豪宅并不是家，因為里頭沒有愛情。金錢是必要而且寶貴的東西——如果用之有道，還是一種高貴的東西——但我決不希望你們把金錢看做首要的東西，當成唯一的奮斗目標。只要擁有愛情、幸福美滿，我寧可你們成為窮人妻，也勝過沒有自尊、不得安寧的皇后。”
“貝爾說，如果不主動出擊，窮人家的姑娘就永遠不會有機會。”美格嘆息說。
“那我們就做老處女好了。”喬堅定地說。
“說得好，喬，寧愿做快樂的老處女，也不做傷心的太太或不正經(jīng)的女孩子，四處亂跑找丈夫。”馬奇太太堅定地說，“不要煩惱，美格。貧窮根本嚇不倒真誠的戀人。我認識的優(yōu)秀、高貴的夫人都是窮人家的姑娘，可這些可愛的姑娘都沒有獲準成為老處女。讓時間來解決這些問題吧。讓這個家充滿歡樂，這樣當你們自己成家的時候，才適合承擔起自己的家庭，萬一沒有，也可對這個家感到知足。寶貝們，有一點要記住，媽媽永遠是你們的知己，爸爸也是你們的朋友。不管女兒嫁人不嫁人，我倆都希望，也都相信她們永遠是我們的驕傲和安慰。”
“我們會的，媽咪，我們會的！”姐妹倆真誠地喊道。說完，馬奇太太和她們道了晚安。
* * *
[1]法語，乖乖。
[2]法語，迷人，真漂亮。
CHAPTER 9 MEG GOES TO VANITY FAIR
“I DO THINK it was the most fortunate thing in the world that those children should have the measles just now, ” said Meg, one April day, as she stood packing the “go abroady” trunk in her room, surrounded by her sisters.
“And so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise. A whole fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid, ” replied Jo, looking like a windmill as she folded skirts with her long arms.
“And such lovely weather, I'm so glad of that, ” added Beth, tidily sorting neck and hair ribbons in her best box, lent for the great occasion.
“I wish I was going to have a fine time and wear all these nice things, ”said Amy with her mouth full of pins, as she artistically replenished her sister's cushion.
“I wish you were all going, but as you can't, I shall keep my adventures to tell you when I come back. I'm sure it's the least I can do when you have been so kind, lending me things and helping me get ready, ”said Meg, glancing round the room at the very simple outfit, which seemed nearly perfect in their eyes.
“What did Mother give you out of the treasure box? ” asked Amy, who had not been present at the opening of a certain cedar chest in which Mrs. March kept a few relics of past splendor, as gifts for her girls when the proper time came.
“A pair of silk stockings, that pretty carved fan, and a lovely blue sash. I wanted the violet silk, but there isn't time to make it over, so I must be contented with my old tarlatan.”
“It will look nice over my new muslin skirt, and the sash will set it off beautifully. I wish I hadn't smashed my coral bracelet, for you might have had it, ” said Jo, who loved to give and lend, but whose possessions were usually too dilapidated to be of much use.
“There is a lovely old-fashioned pearl set in the treasure chest, but Mother said real flowers were the prettiest ornament for a young girl, and Laurie promised to send me all I want, ” replied Meg. “Now, let me see, there's my new gray walking suit—just curl up the feather in my hat,Beth—then my poplin for Sunday and the small party—it looks heavy for spring, doesn't it? The violet silk would be so nice. Oh, dear! ”
“Never mind, you've got the tarlatan for the big party, and you always look like an angel in white, ” said Amy, brooding over the little store of finery in which her soul delighted.
“It isn't low-necked, and it doesn't sweep enough, but it will have to do. My blue housedress looks so well, turned and freshly trimmed, that I feel as if I'd got a new one. My silk sacque isn't a bit the fashion, and my bonnet doesn't look like Sallie's. I didn't like to say anything, but I was sadly disappointed in my umbrella. I told Mother black with a white handle, but she forgot and bought a green one with a yellowish handle. It's strong and neat, so I ought not to complain, but I know I shall feel ashamed of it beside Annie's silk one with a gold top, ” sighed Meg, surveying the little umbrella with great disfavor.
“Change it, ” advised Jo.
“I won't be so silly, or hurt Marmee's feelings, when she took so much pains to get my things. It's a nonsensical notion of mine, and I'm not going to give up to it. My silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves are my comfort. You are a dear to lend me yours, Jo. I feel so rich and sort of elegant, with two new pairs, and the old ones cleaned up for common.” And Meg took a refreshing peep at her glove box.
“Annie Moffat has blue and pink bows on her nightcaps. Would you put some on mine? ” she asked, as Beth brought up a pile of snowy muslins, fresh from Hannah's hands.
“No, I wouldn't, for the smart caps won't match the plain gowns without any trimming on them. Poor folks shouldn't rig, ” said Jo decidedly.
“I wonder if I shall ever be happy enough to have real lace on my clothes and bows on my caps? ” said Meg impatiently.
“You said the other day that you'd be perfectly happy if you could only go to Annie Moffat's, ” observed Beth in her quiet way.
“So I did! Well, I am happy, and I won't fret, but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants, doesn't it? There now, the trays are ready, and everything in but my ball dress, which I shall leave for Mother to pack, ” said Meg, cheering up, as she glanced from the half-filled trunk to the many-times-pressed-and-mended white tarlatan, which she called her“ball dress” with an important air.
The next day was fine, and Meg departed in style for a fortnight of novelty and pleasure. Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather reluctantly, fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she went. But she begged so hard, and Sallie had promised to take good care of her, and a little pleasure seemed so delightful after a winter of irksome work that the mother yielded, and the daughter went to take her first taste of fashionable life.
The Moffats were very fashionable, and simple Meg was rather daunted, at first, by the splendor of the house and the elegance of its occupants. But they were kindly people, in spite of the frivolous life they led, and soon put their guest at her ease. Perhaps Meg felt, without understanding why, that they were not particularly cultivated or intelligent people, and that all their gilding could not quite conceal the ordinary material of which they were made. It certainly was agreeable to fare sumptuously, drive in a fine carriage, wear her best frock every day, and do nothing but enjoy herself. It suited her exactly, and soon she began to imitate the manners and conversation of those about her, to put on little airs and graces, use French phrases, crimp her hair, take in her dresses, and talk about the fashions as well as she could. The more she saw of Annie Moffat's pretty things, the more she envied her and sighed to be rich. Home now looked bare and dismal as she thought of it, work grew harder than ever, and she felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl, in spite of the new gloves and silk stockings.
She had not much time for repining, however, for the three young girls were busily employed in “having a good time.” They shopped, walked, rode, and called all day, went to theaters and operas or frolicked at home in the evening, for Annie had many friends and knew how to entertain them. Her older sisters were very fine young ladies, and one was engaged, which was extremely interesting and romantic, Meg thought. Mr. Moffat was a fat, jolly old gentleman, who knew her father, and Mrs. Moffat, a fat, jolly old lady, who took as great a fancy to Meg as her daughter had done. Everyone petted her, and “Daisy”, as they called her, was in a fair way to have her head turned.
When the evening for the “small party” came, she found that the poplin wouldn't do at all, for the other girls were putting on thin dresses and making themselves very fine indeed. So out came the tarlatan, looking older, limper, and shabbier than ever beside Sallie's crisp new one. Meg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another, and her cheeks began to burn, for with all her gentleness she was very proud. No one said a word about it, but Sallie offered to dress her hair, and Annie to tie her sash, and Belle, the engaged sister, praised her white arms. But in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty, and her heart felt very heavy as she stood by herself, while the others laughed, chattered, and flew about like gauzy butterflies. The hard, bitter feeling was getting pretty bad, when the maid brought in a box of flowers. Before she could speak, Annie had the cover off, and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses, heath, and fern within.
“It's for Belle, of course, George always sends her some, but these are altogether ravishing, ” cried Annie, with a great sniff.
“They are for Miss March, the man said. And here's a note, ” put in the maid, holding it to Meg.
“What fun! Who are they from? Didn't know you had a lover, ” cried the girls, fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise.
“The note is from Mother, and the flowers from Laurie, ” said Meg simply, yet much gratified that he had not forgotten her.
“Oh, indeed! ” said Annie with a funny look, as Meg slipped the note into her pocket as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false pride, for the few loving words had done her good, and the flowers cheered her up by their beauty.
Feeling almost happy again, she laid by a few ferns and roses for herself, and quickly made up the rest in dainty bouquets for the breasts, hair, or skirts of her friends, offering them so prettily that Clara, the elder sister, told her she was “the sweetest little thing she ever saw, ” and they looked quite charmed with her small attention. Somehow the kind act finished her despondency, and when all the rest went to show themselves to Mrs. Moffat, she saw a happy, bright-eyed face in the mirror, as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair and fastened the roses in the dress that didn't strike her as so very shabby now.
She enjoyed herself very much that evening, for she danced to her heart's content. Everyone was very kind, and she had three compliments. Annie made her sing, and some one said she had a remarkably fine voice. Major Lincoln asked who “the fresh little girl with the beautiful eyes” was, and Mr. Moffat insisted on dancing with her because she “didn't dawdle, but had some spring in her, ” as he gracefully expressed it. So altogether she had a very nice time, till she overheard a bit of conversation, which disturbed her extremely. She was sitting just inside the conservatory, waiting for her partner to bring her an ice, when she heard a voice ask on the other side of the flowery wall—
“How old is he? ”
“Sixteen or seventeen, I should say, ” replied another voice.
“It would be a grand thing for one of those girls, wouldn't it? Sallie says they are very intimate now, and the old man quite dotes on them.”
“Mrs. M. has made her plans, I dare say, and will play her cards well, early as it is. The girl evidently doesn't think of it yet, ” said Mrs. Moffat.
“She told that fib about her momma, as if she did know, and colored up when the flowers came quite prettily. Poor thing! She'd be so nice if she was only got up in style. Do you think she'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday? ” asked another voice.
“She's proud, but I don't believe she'd mind, for that dowdy tarlatan is all she has got. She may tear it tonight, and that will be a good excuse for offering a decent one.”
Here Meg's partner appeared, to find her looking much flushed and rather agitated. She was proud, and her pride was useful just then, for it helped her hide her mortification, anger, and disgust at what she had just heard. For, innocent and unsuspicious as she was, she could not help understanding the gossip of her friends. She tried to forget it, but could not, and kept repeating to herself, “Mrs. M. has made her plans, ” “that fib about her mamma, ” and “dowdy tarlatan, ” till she was ready to cry and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for advice. As that was impossible, she did her best to seem gay, and being rather excited, she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an effort she was making. She was very glad when it was all over and she was quiet in her bed, where she could think and wonder and fume till her head ached and her hot cheeks were cooled by a few natural tears. Those foolish, yet well meant words, had opened a new world to Meg, and much disturbed the peace of the old one in which till now she had lived as happily as a child. Her innocent friendship with Laurie was spoiled by the silly speeches she had overheard. Her faith in her mother was a little shaken by the worldly plans attributed to her by Mrs. Moffat, who judged others by herself, and the sensible resolution to be contented with the simple wardrobe which suited a poor man's daughter was weakened by the unnecessary pity of girls who thought a shabby dress one of the greatest calamities under heaven.
Poor Meg had a restless night, and got up heavy-eyed, unhappy, half resentful toward her friends, and half ashamed of herself for not speaking out frankly and setting everything right. Everybody dawdled that morning, and it was noon before the girls found energy enough even to take up their worsted work. Something in the manner of her friends struck Meg at once. They treated her with more respect, she thought, took quite a tender interest in what she said, and looked at her with eyes that plainly betrayed curiosity. All this surprised and flattered her, though she did not understand it till Miss Belle looked up from her writing, and said, with a sentimental air—
“Daisy, dear, I've sent an invitation to your friend, Mr. Laurence, for Thursday. We should like to know him, and it's only a proper compliment to you.”
Meg colored, but a mischievous fancy to tease the girls made her reply demurely, “You are very kind, but I'm afraid he won't come.”
“Why not,chérie? ”asked Miss Belle.
“He's too old.”
“My child, what do you mean? What is his age, I beg to know! ” cried Miss Clara.
“Nearly seventy, I believe, ” answered Meg, counting stitches to hide the merriment in her eyes.
“You sly creature! Of course we meant the young man, ” exclaimed Miss Belle, laughing.
“There isn't any, Laurie is only a little boy.” And Meg laughed also at the queer look which the sisters exchanged as she thus described her supposed lover.
“About your age, ” Nan said.
“Nearer my sister Jo's; I am seventeen in August, ” returned Meg, tossing her head.
“It's very nice of him to send you flowers, isn't it? ” said Annie, looking wise about nothing.
“Yes, he often does, to all of us, for their house is full, and we are so fond of them. My mother and old Mr. Laurence are friends, you know, so it is quite natural that we children should play together, ” and Meg hoped they would say no more.
“It's evident Daisy isn't out yet, ” said Miss Clara to Belle with a nod.
“Quite a pastoral state of innocence all round, ” returned Miss Belle with a shrug.
“I'm going out to get some little matters for my girls. Can I do anything for you, young ladies? ” asked Mrs. Moffat, lumbering in like an elephant in silk and lace.
“No, thank you, ma'am, ” replied Sallie. “I've got my new pink silk for Thursday and don't want a thing.”
“Nor I—” began Meg, but stopped because it occurred to her that she did want several things and could not have them.
“What shall you wear? ” asked Sallie.
“My old white one again, if I can mend it fit to be seen; it got sadly torn last night, ” said Meg, trying to speak quite easily, but feeling very uncomfortable.
“Why don't you send home for another? ” said Sallie, who was not an observing young lady.
“I haven't got any other.” It cost Meg an effort to say that, but Sallie did not see it and exclaimed in amiable surprise, “Only that? How funny—”She did not finish her speech, for Belle shook her head at her and broke in, saying kindly—
“Not at all; where is the use of having a lot of dresses when she isn't out yet? There's no need of sending home, Daisy, even if you had a dozen, for I've got a sweet blue silk laid away, which I've outgrown, and you shall wear it to please me, won't you, dear? ”
“You are very kind, but I don't mind my old dress if you don't, it does well enough for a little girl like me, ” said Meg.
“Now do let me please myself by dressing you up in style. I admire to do it, and you'd be a regular little beauty with a touch here and there. I shan't let anyone see you till you are done, and then we'll burst upon them like Cinderella and her godmother going to the ball, ” said Belle in her persuasive tone.
Meg couldn't refuse the offer so kindly made, for a desire to see if she would be “a little beauty” after touching up caused her to accept and forget all her former uncomfortable feelings toward the Moffats.
On the Thursday evening, Belle shut herself up with her maid, and between them they turned Meg into a fine lady. They crimped and curled her hair, they polished her neck and arms with some fragrant powder, touched her lips with coralline salve to make them redder, and Hortense would have added“a soupçon of rouge”, if Meg had not rebelled.They laced her into a sky-blue dress, which was so tight she could hardly breathe and so low in the neck that modest Meg blushed at herself in the mirror. A set of silver filagree was added, bracelets, necklace, brooch, and even earrings, for Hortense tied them on with a bit of pink silk which did not show. A cluster of tea-rose buds at the bosom, and a ruche, reconciled Meg to the display of her pretty, white shoulders, and a pair of high-heeled silk boots satisfied the last wish of her heart. A lace handkerchief, a plumy fan, and a bouquet in a shoulder holder finished her off, and Miss Belle surveyed her with the satisfaction of a little girl with a newly dressed doll.
“Mademoiselle is charmante,très jolie, is she not? ”cried Hortense, clasping her hands in an affected rapture.
“Come and show yourself, ” said Miss Belle, leading the way to the room where the others were waiting.
As Meg went rustling after, with her long skirts trailing, her earrings tinkling, her curls waving, and her heart beating, she felt as if her fun had really begun at last, for the mirror had plainly told her that she was “a little beauty”. Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase enthusiastically, and for several minutes she stood, like a jackdaw in the fable, enjoying her borrowed plumes, while the rest chattered like a party of magpies.
“While I dress, do you drill her, Nan, in the management of her skirt and those French heels, or she will trip herself up. Take your silver butterfly, and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head, Clara, and don't any of you disturb the charming work of my hands, ” said Belle, as she hurried away, looking well pleased with her success.
“You don't look a bit like yourself, but you are very nice. I'm nowhere beside you, for Belle has heaps of taste, and you're quite French, I assure you. Let your flowers hang, don't be so careful of them, and be sure you don't trip, ” returned Sallie, trying not to care that Meg was prettier than herself.
Keeping that warning carefully in mind, Margaret got safely down stairs and sailed into the drawing rooms where the Moffats and a few early guests were assembled. She very soon discovered that there is a charm about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people and secures their respect. Several young ladies, who had taken no notice of her before, were very affectionate all of a sudden. Several young gentlemen, who had only stared at her at the other party, now not only stared, but asked to be introduced, and said all manner of foolish but agreeable things to her, and several old ladies, who sat on the sofas, and criticized the rest of the party, inquired who she was with an air of interest. She heard Mrs. Moffat reply to one of them.
“Daisy March—father a colonel in the army—one of our first families, but reverses of fortune, you know; intimate friends of the Laurences; sweet creature, I assure you; my Ned is quite wild about her.”
“Dear me! ” said the old lady, putting up her glass for another observation of Meg, who tried to look as if she had not heard and been rather shocked at Mrs. Moffat's fibs.
The “queer feeling” did not pass away, but she imagined herself acting the new part of fine lady and so got on pretty well, though the tight dress gave her a side-ache, the train kept getting under her feet, and she was in constant fear lest her earrings should fly off and get lost or broken. She was flirting her fan and laughing at the feeble jokes of a young gentleman who tried to be witty, when she suddenly stopped laughing and looked confused, for just opposite, she saw Laurie. He was staring at her with undisguised surprise, and disapproval also, she thought, for though he bowed and smiled, yet something in his honest eyes made her blush and wish she had her old dress on. To complete her confusion, she saw Belle nudge Annie, and both gl
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