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Or how think you it would be with this youthful Pierre, if every day descending to breakfast, he caught sight of an old? tattered British ba
In conclusion, do not blame me if I here make repetition, and do verbally quote my own words in saying that it had been the choice fate of Pierre to have been born and bred in the country. For to a noble American youth this indeed-more than in any other land-this indeed is a most rare and choice lot. For it is to be observed, that while in other countries, the finest families boast of the country as their home; the more prominent among us, proudly cite the city as their seat. Too often the American that himself makes his fortune, builds him a great metropolitan house, in the most metropolitan street of the most metropolitan town. Whereas a European of the same sort would thereupon migrate into the country. That herein the European hath the better of it, no poet, no philosopher, and no aristocrat will deny. For the country is not only the most poetical and philosophical, but it is the most aristocratic part of this earth, for it is the most venerable, and numerous bards have e
In the country then Nature planted our Pierre; because Nature intended a rare and original development in Pierre. Never mind if hereby she proved ambiguous to him in the end; nevertheless, in the begi
So the country was a glorious benediction to young Pierre; we shall see if that blessing pass from him as did the divine blessing from the Hebrews; we shall yet see again, I say, whether Fate hath not just a little bit of a word or two to say in this world; we shall see whether this wee little bit scrap of latinity be very far out of the way- Nemo contra Deum nisi Deus ipse.
V
"Sister Mary," said Pierre, returned from his sunrise stroll, and tapping at his mother's chamber door:-"do you know, sister Mary, that the trees which have been up all night, are all abroad again this morning before you? — Do you not smell something like coffee, my sister?"
A light step moved from within toward the door; which opened, showing Mrs. Glendi
"Good morning, Madam," said Pierre, slowly, and with a bow, whose genuine and spontaneous reverence amusingly contrasted with the sportive ma
"Good afternoon to you, Pierre, for I suppose it is afternoon. But come, you shall finish my toilet;-here, brother"- reaching the ribbon-"now acquit yourself bravely"-and seating herself away from the glass, she awaited the good offices of Pierre.
"First Lady in waiting to the Dowager Duchess Glendi
"Well, what is to hold it there, Pierre?"
"I am going to try and tack it with a kiss, sister, — there! — oh, what a pity that sort of fastening won't always hold! — where's the cameo with the fawns, I gave you last night? — Ah! on the slab-you were going to wear it then? — Thank you, my considerate and most politic sister-there! — but stop-here's a ringlet gone romping-so now, dear sister, give that Assyrian toss to your head."
The haughtily happy mother rose to her feet, and as she stood before the mirror to criticize her son's adornings, Pierre, noticing the straggling tie of her slipper, knelt down and secured it. "And now for the urn," he cried, "Madam!" and with a humorous gallantry, offering his arm to his mother, the pair descended to breakfast.
With Mrs. Glendi
Besides all this, Mary Glendi