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Consummation of the destiny of the favourite people of the Creator of the universe! Notwithstanding their practised nonchalance, the Mesdemoiselles Laurella were a little subdued when they entered the palace of Besso, still more so when they were presented to its master, whose manner, void of all art, yet invested with a natural dignity, asserted in an instant its superiority.
"Who's that you're a-namin' that's a-goin' to have silk dresses?" inquired Laurella, as he entered and set the mended cradle down by the bedside. "The baby." he returned.
Why, Johnnie Consadine, every one of them chaps is plumb crazy to work in the mill just like you was and you're workin' in the mill yourself. What makes you talk so foolish about it?" Laurella nodded an agreement, looking more than usually like a little girl playing dolls. "I reckon Mr. Himes knows best, Johnnie, honey," was her reiterated comment.
'There is a prayer which the Mesdemoiselles Laurella once sang, a prayer of Moses in Egypt, said Madame Nassim, somewhat timidly. 'It is very fine. 'I wish they would favour us with it, said Eva; 'I will ask Hillel to request that kindness; and she beckoned to Hillel, who sauntered toward her, and listened to her whispered wish with a smile of supercilious complacency.
The Mesdemoiselles de Laurella, Thérèse and Sophonisbe, had just completed their education, partly at Smyrna, the last year at Marseilles. This had quite turned their heads; they had come back with a contempt for Syria, the bitterness of which was only veiled by the high style of European nonchalance, of which they had a supreme command, and which is, perhaps, our only match for Eastern repose.
'Well, Sophonisbe, said the sensible Moses Laurella, 'I admire the Franks very much; they have many qualities which I could wish our Levantines shared; but I confess that I do not think that their strong point is their costume. 'Oh, my dear uncle! said Thérèse; 'look at that beautiful white cravat. What have we like it? So simple, so distinguished! Such good taste! And then the boots.
This was the first visit of the Mesdemoiselles Laurella to the family of Besso, for they had only returned from Marseilles at the beginning of the year, and their host had not resided at Damascus until the summer was much advanced. Of course they were well acquainted by reputation with the great Hebrew house of which the lord of the mansion was the chief.
Eva, whom they saw for the first time, received them like a queen, and in a dress which offered as complete a contrast to their modish attire as the beauty of her sublime countenance presented to their pretty and sparkling visages. Madame Laurella, the mother of these young ladies, would in Europe have been still styled young. She was a Smyrniote, and had been a celebrated beauty.
In the meantime the arrival of the new guests made a considerable sensation in the chamber, especially with the Mesdemoiselles Laurella. A young prince of the Lebanon, whatever his religion, was a distinguished and agreeable accession to their circle, but in Tancred they recognised a being at once civilised and fashionable, a Christian who could dance the polka.
"Ain't she?" returned Mandy enthusiastically, as Johnnie of the "quare notions" helped Mavity Bence upstairs with the one small trunk belonging to Laurella. "Look out for that trunk, Johnnie," came her mother's caution, with a girlish ripple of laughter in the tones. "Hit's a borried one. Now don't you roach up and git mad.
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