I think that I have described in a former letter the Cuban dance, the languid tropical shuffle they call the Habanera. The music is so monotonous, always the same over and over again, and only ceases when it is convenient to the musicians.
The ladies had cascarilla (a powder made of eggshells) an inch thick on their faces. I doubt if the officers ever saw so much powder as they did at this bal poudré.
There was a sit-down supper, consisting of sandwiches smelling strong of bad butter, ham and chicken salads, dulces of all sorts, but, alas! no fruit. The dancing continued long after we had retired for the night.
The Marquis Aldamar invited us to a déjeuner for the following day; the volantes were again "to the door," and we started off in grand style and great spirits and drove to the top of the mountain, from which we enjoyed a perfectly glorious view of the Yumiri Valley. The winding river looked like a silver thread as it wound in and out through the grassy meadows.
Our déjeuner was of a more European character than any that we had yet had in Cuba; the menu was in French—evidently the cook was also French—and the servants looked imported. In fact, everything was in very good style. The hostess was charming and musical, she sang some very pretty Cuban songs, and after a while asked me if I were musical, and if I would play something.
The Captain, in an undertone and in all "proudness," said, "Ask Madame to sing." And she did so in a rather condescending manner.
I accepted and went timidly to the piano, and as I hesitated as to what I should sing, she said, "Oh! just sing any little thing." With an amused glance at Laura I sang Chopin's waltz, which is the most difficult thing I sing, and the astonishment depicted on the countenance of my patronizing hostess was highly diverting.
"I wonder if you are any relation of a Mrs. Moulton whom my cousin knew in Paris," she said. "He was very intimate with a family of your name, and often talked to me about a Mrs. Moulton who sang so beautifully."
"Can it be that I am the same person? I have lived in Paris. What was your cousin's name?" I inquired.
"Jules Alphonso."