The last preparations for the evening ball were being made at the elegantly furnished home of Mrs. C. Beautiful flowers adorned the well-set tables, and the silver shone and glistened in the lights of the crystal lamps. In the ballroom the musicians were tuning their instruments.
Lina and Anna, the daughters of the house, had just finished their toilette, and were viewing themselves with much satisfaction in the mirror.
“Really the flowers are beautiful,” said Lina, admiring the red roses in her hair. “A good idea of Uncle Robert to give us these just before the ball! He knows far better than his daughter how to select suitable gifts.”
“You are right,” rejoined Anna laughing. “Poor Emilie! If she only knew how we appreciated her present!”
“But how unbecoming to make such a gift,” said Lina, turning up her delicate nose. “At present it has found a resting place between the other books. There it can stay until we make use of it. Don’t you think so?”
“Do you know,” replied the other without taking notice of her sister’s question, “what Emilie says about that book?”
“What?”
“That it will bring us true happiness.”
“True happiness?” repeated Lina scornfully. “As if we weren’t happy without it! I think we are happier than she is.”
“She never goes to a ball,” continued Anna, “but—”
“We know how odd she is,” interrupted Lina. “She often speaks so ridiculously that one might think she were not human anymore. She took enough pains to also speak to me about these things which are so repugnant. Whenever possible, I get out of her way. Why should we at our age walk about with a long face? Life is so sweet! When I get sick, or after I have become old, maybe then I will listen to her advice and read her books, but for the present I intend to enjoy life.”
“Emilie says that only now does she really enjoy life, but never before,” remonstrated Anna. “I don’t understand it, and yet—”
“I don’t understand it either,” interrupted Lina. “But come we must present ourselves to mother.”
After having been seen and approved by Mrs. C. they all proceeded to the ballroom to await the arrival of the guests.