CHAP. XX. Simplicity from ill, pure native truth, ROWE. THE season of universal festivity had now commenced. Spring covered the country with a robe of beauty to enchant the admirer of nature, and art accumulated capricious decorations for VOL. II. galas, routs, and balls, to stimulate the palled appetites of the votaries of fashion. Amid these enjoyed or anticipated delights, nothing was so much. talked of as a petit-souper of Lady Paulina Monthermer's, which, though she spoke of it merely as a little sociable party, and an assemblage of a few entertaining people to steal her dearest Emilia from her too domestic habits, was secretly announced would prove the very finest thing ever seen in England, combining Italian taste with Indian magnificence. By comparing notes among the invited, it was found, that Paulina's "few entertaining people" comprised every body of fashion and celebrity, to each of whom she expressed a desire that they would come disposed to create pleasure. For as her mansion had few attractions to offer they must reciprocally act as magnets to keep hilarity and good humour among them, and she thought a very probable means of doing so would be for every one to assume and support a particular character. She added, with a mysterious look, that all would go well if her principál aim were answored; but she feared England was not suited to a very nervous temperament, and that nothing but a continental tour could wean an over susceptible mind from its own reveries. Yet, how could England spare Lord Avondel? and though the sweet Emilia-here she paused, and, sighing, remarked, that the great and good often fall short of the happiness they deserve to enjoy. Having thus pointed observation at the countess, (an ordeal which she knew she could never sustain) and called in all the great world to witness the weakness she determined to expose, she deemed her mine finished. All the costly and tasteful appendages which profusion, guided by genius, could crowd into the comparatively narrow limits of a very spacious London residence, were concentrated. The apart ments were diversified by oriental, arcadian, and gothic decorations; fragrant shrubs and odorous perfumes scented the air; a blaze of splendor shone from crystal or painted vases, and was reflected by diamond-cut lustres suspended in every direction. This splendor was relieved by falling on the rich drapery, and produced the yellow light so admired in the warm tints of Claude Lorrain, and deemed peculiarly favourable to female beauty. Vocal and instrumental performers were placed in the galleries, whose successive strains, rather melodious and soothing than powerful, stole on the ear at every suspension of conversation, diffused delight over the listner's soul, and animated it to new exertions. Add to these arrangements, the most exquisite regale of wines, fruits, and every delicate viand, all that art and wealth could anticipate of nature's summer and autumnal products, or commerce select from distant regions, and an idea may be formed of Paulina's magnificent preparations. To crown the whole, the mistress of the fête, in compliment to the predominate whim of the day, called herself a Perdita without a Florizel, and seeming to forego all other distinctions in the character of the assiduous hostess glided from room to room, attired in the most becoming manner, and with all the elegant simplicity which Shakespeare ascribes to his beautiful shepherdess. She addressed every one in their assumed character, and rather tried to call forth the powers of her guests than to depress competition by the display of her own unrivalled talents. Lord Avondel wore the habit of an |