第37章 LETTER VII(19)

It was nearly nine o'clock before we adjourned from the "Reine Hortense,"to the ball.Already,for some time past,boats full of gay dresses had been passing under the corvette's stern on their way to the "Artemise,"looking like flower-beds that had put to sea,--though they certainly could no longer be called a parterre;--and by the time we ourselves mounted her lofty sides,a mingled stream of music,light,and silver laughter,was pouring out of every port-hole.The ball-room was very prettily arranged.The upper deck had been closed in with a lofty roof of canvas,from which hung suspended glittering lustres,formed by bayonets with their points collected into an inverted pyramid,and the butt-ends serving as sockets for the tapers.Every wall was gay with flags,--the frigate's frowning armament all hid or turned to ladies' uses:82pounders became sofas--boarding-pikes,balustrades--pistols,candlesticks--the brass carronades set on end,pillarwise,their brawling mouths stopped with nose-gays;while portraits of the Emperor and the Empress,busts,colours draped with Parisian cunning,gave to the scene an appearance of festivity that looked quite fairy-like in so sombre a region.As for our gallant host,I never saw such spirits;he is a fine old grey-headed blow-hard of fifty odd,talking English like a native,and combining the frank open-hearted cordiality of a sailor with that graceful winning gaiety peculiar to Frenchmen.I never saw anything more perfect than the kind,almost fatherly,courtesy with which he welcomed each blooming bevy of maidens that trooped up his ship's side.About two o'clock we had supper on the main-deck.

I had the honour of taking down Miss Thora,of Bessestad;and somehow--this time,I no longer found myself wandering back in search of the pale face of the old-world Thora,being,I suppose,sufficiently occupied by the soft,gentle eyes of the one beside me.With the other young ladies I did not make much acquaintance,as I experienced a difficulty in finding befitting remarks on the occasion of being presented to them.Once or twice,indeed,Ihazarded,through their fathers,some little complimentary observations in Latin;but I cannot say that I found that language lend itself readily to the gallantries of the ball-room.After supper dancing recommenced,and the hilarity of the evening reached its highest pitch when half a dozen sailors,dressed in turbans made of flags (one of them a lady with the face of the tragic muse),came forward and danced the cancan,with a gravity and decorum that would have greatly edified what Gavarni calls "la pudeur municipale."At 3o'clock A.M.I returned on board the schooner,and we are all now very busy in making final preparations for departure.Fitz is rearranging his apothecary's shop.

Sigurdr is writing letters.The last strains of music have ceased on board the "Artemise";the sun is already high in the heavens;the flower beds are returning on shore,--a little draggled perhaps,as if just pelted by a thunder-storm;the "Reine Hortense"has got her steam up and the real,serious part of our voyage is about to begin.

I feel that my deion has not half done justice to the wonders of this interesting island;but I can refer you to your friend Sir Henry Holland for further details;he paid a visit to Iceland in 1810,with Sir G.Mackenzie,and made himself thoroughly acquainted with its historical and scientific associations.

CONCLUDING ACT.

SCENE.R.Y.S:"Foam":astern of the "Reine Hortense"DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

VOICE OF FRENCH CAPTAIN,COMMANDING "R.H."

LORD D.

DOCTOR.

WILSON.

VOICE OF THE FRENCH CAPTAIN.--"Nous partons."LORD D--.--"All ready,Sir!"

WILSON TO DOCTOR (sotto voce).--"Sir!"

DOCTOR.--"Eh?"

WILSON.--"Do you know,Sir?"

DOCTOR.--"What?"

WILSON.--"Oh,nothing,Sir;--only we're going to the hicy regions,Sir,ain't we?Well,I've just seen that ere brig as is come from there,Sir,and they say there's a precious lot of ice this year!(Pause.)Do you know,Sir,the skipper showed me the bows of his vessel,Sir?

She's got seven feet of solid timber in her for'ard:

WE'VE only two inches,Sir!"

(DIVES BELOW.)

VOICE OF FRENCH CAPTAIN (WITH A SLIGHT ACCENT).--"Are you ready?"Lord D--.-"Ay,ay,Sir!Up anchor!"