F. Colburn (Francis Colburn) Adams
Chapter 46
this sort of diplomacy, you see-it was discovered that one very
distinguished Mrs. Constance, leader of fashion to the St. Cecilia,
(and on that account on no very good terms with the vulgar world,
that was forever getting up scandal to hurl at the society that
would not permit it to soil, with its common muslin, the fragrant
atmosphere of its satin and tulle), had been carrying on a villanous
intrigue-yes, Madam! villanous intrigue! I said discovered: the fact
was, this gallant Baronet, with one servant and no establishment,
was fˆted and fooled for a month, until he came to the very natural
and sensible conclusion, that we were all snobbs-yes, snobbs of the
very worst kind. But there was no one who fawned over and flattered
the vanity of this vain man more than the husband of Mrs. Constance.
This poor man idolized his wife, whom he regarded as the very
diamond light of purity, nor ever mistrusted that the Baronet's
attentions were bestowed with any other than the best of motives.
Indeed, he held it extremely condescending on the part of the
Baronet to thus honor the family with his presence.
"And the Baronet, you see, with that folly so characteristic of
Baronets, was so flushed with his success in this little intrigue
with Madame Constance-the affair was too good for him to keep!--that
he went all over town showing her letters. Such nice letters as they
were-brim full of repentance, love, and appointments. The Baronet
read them to Mr. Barrows, laughing mischievously, and saying what a
fool the woman must be. Mr. Barrows couldn't keep it from Mrs.
Barrows, Mrs. Barrows let the cat out of the bag to Mrs. Simpson,
and Mrs. Simpson would let Mr. Simpson have no peace till he got on
the soft side of the Baronet, and, what was not a difficult matter,
got two of the letters for her to have a peep into. Mrs. Simpson
having feasted her eyes on the two Mr. Simpson got of the Baronet,
and being exceedingly fond of such wares as they contained, must
needs-albeit, in strict confidence-whisper it to Mrs. Fountain, who