It was our first ball since the Carnival, and they seemed to enjoy the thoughts of it as much as I did, for they would not hear of sleeping any more.
Mamma, however, never ceased making every objection and difficulty she could think of.
"You have no ball dress."
"My white dress, dear mamma; I only wore it once."
"It is old-fashioned."
"A little bow of national ribbon, and you will have the prettiest of new fashions," interrupted the dark officer.
"But my foot aches," persevered mamma.
"But there is no absolute necessity for your dancing, dear mamma."
The officers did not laugh—out of politeness; and for the same reason, mamma did not scold me till they had gone away.
"You foolish child," she said angrily, "to rush openly in the face of danger, and ruin yourself intentionally!"