The Argosy — page 318: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

300 The Baths of Gastein. Next him sat a tall, lean, cadaverous looking object, conspicuous in a white neckcloth and large diamond studs. He was a Russian count, visiting Gastein for a weakness of the spine. This was not incon- ceivable, for the first day he rose from table it was startling to behold him : and when at length he stood erect, like a second tower of Babel, he was a full head and shoulders above the tallest man in the room. It would be a feat to record his name from memory which seemed composed of about twenty-four consonants and two vowels. He was reported immensely rich ; and if diamonds are any confirmation of such rumours, he might have been the Emperor of Russia himself. Duia- monds flashed in his shirt; diamonds, emeralds, rubies, blazed on his fingers ; his valet had been heard to affirm that he even wore diamond buckles to his garters: but no one was called upon to put faith in the unseen. The visible was enough. Next in order came a man remarkably stout ; so that had a contrast been planned, none more perfect or absurd could have been presented. The contrast also, never seemed to become a matter to pass unnoticed, but each day, fresh and green, struck upon the senses of ridicule and mirth. Then came two ladies, mother and daughter, who invariably entered late, with a great amount of state, and a ceremonious crossing of the hands, who walked as if they felt themselves, like Mrs. Hominy, walking up the room to the admiration of ail beholders, in a procession of two. The extent of bowing that had to be gone through before they finally composed themselves was a serious interruption to dinner. Then came a fair young man who would have been good looking, but for a look of effeminacy, with whom the younger of the two ladies kept up a danly flirtation. He wore an eyeglass, which he had not the courage to use: and in this respect how happy would it be for some effeminate dandies did they but follow his example. He blushed every time he spoke, and fidgetted with his guard, so that possibly his particular complaint was nervousness. But, like almost everyone else there, in appearance he was the embodiment of health: «The morning he went away, I caught sight of him in a cornerof the diligence, which he had all to himself; and with a polite bow to each ather, we parted —perhaps for ever. Next at the table came an amusing couple: a husband and wife who had turned the hill of hfe and were quietly and comfortably going downwards. But the lady had not by any means renounced the pomps and vanities of life. Each day saw her in some fresh,dress, and set of jewelry : and once or twice when absent from her place, my neighbour whispered to me that her maid must have failed at the last moment in accomplishing some new bit of finery. She was a stout, good-natured dame, with a countenance full and red, giving the impression of too much tightness of gown about the throat ; an effect increased by_a pair of eyes not perfectly straight, though sufficiently so not to be unpleasant. ecoMmicloookKks (C(O) in —_)