Vivienne had a dazzling impression of a lofty apartment hung with large oil paintings and having groups of plants and masses of flowers here and there, a number of officers in brilliant uniform on her left hand, and on the other a flock of snowy dames and gentlemen in sombre garments who had already been presented.
Immediately before her was the attraction for all eyes in the room—a dais on which the central figures were a dark, vivacious man in the court uniform of an imperial councillor, and a bejeweled woman, who was smiling and bowing her gracious head not alone with precision and accuracy, but with a quickness of intelligence and apprehension that caught the individual characteristics of each person that passed before her.
Lord Vaulabel, when he heard the clear, distinct enunciation of Vivienne’s name, turned ever so slightly toward the lieutenant-governor who supported him on his right hand. There was an almost imperceptible smile and a glance of intelligence which Vivienne did not perceive while making graceful courtesies before the dais.
Drawing a breath of relief she took her station beside her chaperon and watched other people going through the ceremony of presentation.
“There are some handsome gowns here this evening,” murmured Mrs. Colonibel to Vivienne.
“And handsome women,” responded the girl, surveying in approbation some of her clear-skinned, finely proportioned countrywomen; “we are so much out of doors—women here take so much exercise—their appearance of perfect health is owing to that, do you not think so?”
“I suppose so,” said her companion absently. “What a delicious bow the consul’s daughter makes, and her gown is a dream. I am so glad that she is to be one of your bridesmaids. Do look at old Daddy Fayley pulling his forelock at his excellency. This is an omnium gatherum,” and the lady looked about her a trifle disdainfully.
“A new country has not the polish of an old one, Flora,” said Vivienne; "it would be unnatural if it had, and Lord and Lady Vaulabel do not expect it.”[it.”]
“There is Uncle Colonel,” said Mrs. Colonibel; “I thought he came in with us.”
“He stopped to speak to some one,” said Vivienne; and her eyes followed Colonel Armour with painful interest as he entered the room, remarked by all on account of his handsome, courtly appearance and the indomitable youthfulness of his old age. When he paused to bow with inimitable grace and respect before Lord and Lady Vaulabel they observed him attentively, and Vivienne noticed their glances subsequently wandering to him.