Henrietta put on a very simple
ball-dress, compared with which the dress of the mining engineer's wife
was really luxurious. The black ornaments well became her attire, but
the engineer's wife was astounded at the simplicity of the great lady's
costume. She had now only one anxious moment to go through, the moment
when her husband first saw the new ornaments. But this moment sped away
without any catastrophe, although with much of heart throbbing. Hatszegi
observed the jewels in the ears and round the neck of his bride and paid
her the compliment of saying that they contrasted admirably with the
snowy whiteness of her alabaster neck.
So no ill came of it after all.
When the time came, the baron's carriage drove up to the door and the
ladies entered it. The baron himself was to come afterwards with the
mining engineer when the empty carriage returned. In the meantime the
baroness was entrusted to the care of the mining engineer's wife, who
was one of the notabilities of the little town.
The ball was to take place in the large room of the chief inn of the
place, and the baroness, on entering it, was surrounded by a crowd of
admirers. The young wife felt that she was being made much of. She felt
in the midst of all this homage and devotion as if she had been lifted
up to Heaven, and her heart was full of gratitude. If he be here (and he
_must_ be here somewhere, hiding in the crowd, no doubt, in order not to
excite attention) then he will be able to see from his hiding-place how
pale the face of his old love is from sorrow--and yet how radiant
because of the honour now shown to her.
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