Sabine Baring-Gould

“ Now, then, cautiously—very cautiously, lift the globe into its place.’
When the great silvered ball was planted securely on its basement, the baron said:—‘See, ladies! A shining world of happiness was disclosed to the eyes of my mother when my poor father brought her here. That fell to pieces, apparently destroyed for ever. But no! Another shining glittering, yet fragile world of happiness, and love, and transport, appears before our eyes to-day. To-day it is my darling Jacquetta who gives it us. It is very beautiful; it shines like the sun, but it is very fragile. ”

“ You see everything in wrong proportion as if you looked into a silvered globe such as once stood on that pedestal. Be at ease. Assure yourself. Though your nose may look like the proboscis of an elephant it is moderate in size—quite small. ”

“ When the baron and Jacquetta were in the carriage again on their way back, ‘You will be submissive to my mother?’ he pleaded; ‘she always has been mistress in Plaissac, I mean, ever since her marriage. Only Revolution dethrones queens. She has been head of the house—only in the Reign of Terror do royal heads fall—you—you will not inaugurate a Reign of Terror?’
‘May I rule in the gardens?’
‘Oh, yes; my mother does not care about the gardens.’
‘And I will begin my rule there by ordering a silvered globe for the vacant pedestal. We drive through Nantes. ”