Tiffany _--_ Co.

“ Tiffany
The Countess dee Jolimaitre, my dear, is at this moment on her way to--to Washington! Where after visiting all the fashionable curiosities of the day--including the President--she will return to grace her native city! Gertrude
I hope you are only jesting, Madam? Seraphina is not married? Mrs. Tiffany
Excuse me, my dear, my daughter had this morning the honor of being united to the Count dee Jolimaitre! Gertrude
Madam! He is an impostor! Mrs. Tiffany
Good gracious! Gertrude, how can you talk in that disrespectful way of a man of rank? An heiress, my dear, should have better manners! ”

“ Not permit Seraphina to become a Countess? Mr. Tiffany, you are out of your senses! Mr. Tiffany
That would not be very wonderful, considering how many years I have been united to you, my dear. Modern physicians pronounce lunacy infectious! Mrs. Tiffany
Mr. Tiffany, he is a man of fashion-- Mr. Tiffany
Fashion makes fools, but cannot feed them. By the bye, I have a request,--since you are bent upon ruining me by this ball, and there is no help for it,--I desire that you will send an invitation to my confidential clerk, Mr. Snobson. Mrs. Tiffany
Mr. Snobson! ”

“ Tiffany, I desire that you will purchase Count d'Orsay's "Science of Etiquette," and learn how to conduct yourself--especially before you appear at the grand ball, which I shall give on Friday! Mr. Tiffany
Confound your balls, Madam; they make footballs of my money, while you dance away all that I am worth! A pretty time to give a ball when you know that I am on the very brink of bankruptcy! Mrs. Tiffany
So much the greater reason that nobody should suspect your circumstances, or you would lose your credit at once. Just at this crisis a ball is absolutely necessary to save your reputation! ”

“ Tiffany)
There, Betsy, I know, you were going to ask for them. Ah! they're a blessing when one is growing old! Mrs. Tiffany
What do you mean, Prudence? A woman of fashion never grows old! Age is always out of fashion. Prudence
Oh. dear! what a delightful thing it is to be fashionable. (Exit Prudence, R. U E.)
(Mrs. Tiffany resumes her seat)
(Enter Twinkle, L.)
(salutes Seraphina)
T. Tennyson Twinkle
Fair Seraphina! the sun itself grows dim, unless you aid his light and shine on him! Seraphina Tiffany
Ah! Mr. Twinkle, there is no such thing as answering you. ”

“ Mr. Snobson, it is not the fashion to introduce in France! Snobson
But, Marm, we're in America. (Mrs. T. crosses to Count, R.) The woman thinks she's somewhere else than where she is--she wants to make an alibi? (aside) Mrs. Tiffany
I hope that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you on Friday evening, Count? Count Jolimaitre
Really, madam, my invitations--my engagements--so numerous--I can hardly answer for myself: and you Americans take offence so easily-- Mrs. Tiffany
But, Count, everybody expects you at our ball--you are the principal attraction-- Seraphina Tiffany
Count, you must come! ”

“ I told you Fashion would the fashion be! Adam Trueman
Then both its point and moral I distrust. Count Jolimaitre
Sir, is that liberal? Colonel Howard
Or is it just? Adam Trueman
The guilty have escaped! Mr. Tiffany
Is, therefore, sin made charming? Ah! there's punishment within! Guilt ever carries his own scourge along. Gertrude
Virtue her own reward! Adam Trueman
You're right, I'm wrong. Mrs. Tiffany
How we have been deceived! Prudence
I told you so. Seraphina Tiffany
To lose at once a title and a beau! ”

“ There she is--the bewitching little creature! Mrs. Tiffany and her daughter are out of ear-shot. I caught a glimpse of their feathers floating down Broadway, not ten minutes ago. Just the opportunity I have been looking for! Now for an engagement with this captivating little piece of prudery! 'Pon honor, I am almost afraid she will not resist a Count long enough to give value to the conquest. ”

“ In passing Tiffany’s window twice each day (for my habit was to walk to and from Nassau Street) I remember that seeing a thousand-dollar clock exposed for sale caused me annoyance. Of course my salary as a clerk brought me into no unfavourable comparison with the clock; and I doubt if I could make you understand my sometimes feeling when I passed Tiffany’s window that I should like to smash the clock.”
“I met Ethel frequently in society, dancing with her, and sitting next her at dinners. ”

“ Tiffany responded. “What could happen? Charlie and I came back from Toronto a few days later by way of Detroit.” Then his eye lighted up again. “But I like to think,” he added, “that next morning when that captain read about the theft of ninety gondola cars right out from under the sheriff’s nose by H. L. Tiffany, of Pittsburg, Pa., he was smoking one of said H. L. Tiffany’s cigars.”
[Pg 62]
The sun was up, hot and bright. ”

“ Tiffany
Dear me! Millinette what is the difference! besides I'd have you to know that Americans always improve upon French fashions! here, take the basket, and let me see that you do it in the most you-nick and genteel manner. (Millinette poutingly takes the basket and retires up stage, L.a march. Curtain hung at the further end of the room is drawn back, and discloses a room, in the centre of which, stands a supper table, beautifully decorated and illuminated; the company promenade two by two into the supper room; Millinette presents bouquets as they pass; Count leads Mrs. Tiffany.) ”

“ Lord A. Yet even in their case perseverance often obtains what was denied to poverty.
Helen. Yes, possibly, from the feeble or the vain; but genuine Charity, and her sister, Love, act only from their own generous impulse, and scorn intimidation.
Enter Tiffany.
Tiffany. Are you alone, madam?
Helen. No; I was only wishing to be so.
Tiff. A young woman is without, inquiring for sir Willoughby, ma’am; I thought he had been here.
9 Helen. Do you know her?
Tiff. Yes, ma’am; ’tis Fanny, the daughter of the odd man that lives on the common.
Helen. I’ll see her myself—desire her to walk up. ”

“ I’d feel such a fraud, and I’d soon be disliking him, though this may not be at all his fault. Besides, someone might——”
“That could be easily arranged.” Her father’s eyes twinkled—he was preparing to treat the discovered deception as a little private joke on the prince between his daughter and himself. “We can get Tiffany to set an emerald in the ring. No one will know. And some day you can tease him about it. If he is innocent it would mortify him to learn the truth now, wouldn’t it?”
Elsie smiled somewhat cheerfully. She was trying hard to make herself doubt the prince’s guilty knowledge. ”

“ She must always make a martyr of herself by bearing the burdens of her world.
The Judge and Mrs. Tiffany sat now, in the early afternoon of a summer Sunday, under the gigantic live-oak which shadowed their piazza. She was crocheting a pink scarf, through which her tiny fingers flew like shuttles; he was reading. Out beyond their hacienda, the American “hands,” fresh-shaved 20 for Sunday, lolled on the ground over a lazy game of cards. ”

“ He can't see where the harm comes in removing a valuable ruby from an idol in a heathen temple, but if he'd step into Tiffany's, in New York, and extract a gem like that from the show case and make off with it, his crime wouldn't be any the less."
"A heathen has got property rights," agreed the cowboy, "just the same as you or me—or Grattan, himself. Where do you suppose Grattan, and that choice assortment of tinhorns he has with him on the Iris, are going?" ”

“ I was in the capricieuse yesterday—I believe I shall keep on the perfect amiable. [Exit Chignon.] Tiffany, take off my powdering gown——Ah! ho!——How the wench tugs—do you think you are pulling off the coachman's greatcoat?
Mrs. Blandish. My dear amiable!—do not let that sweet temper be ruffled—Why will you not employ me in these little offices. Delicacy like yours should be waited upon by the softness of a sylph. ”

“ Her old fellow-player, “Dick” Barthelmess, was already with the new company, and had produced “Tol’able David,” directed by Henry King, a success of which all his friends were proud. Lillian had not been much impressed by the Tiffany offer, mainly for the reason that they seemed to be doing circus pictures, and she did not fancy the idea of being cast for something with a slack-wire, or a trapeze, in it. ”

“ Does Millinette say that that head dress is strictly Parisian? Seraphina Tiffany
Oh, yes, Mamma, all the rage! They call it a lady's tarpaulin, and it is the exact pattern of one worn by the Princess Clementina at the last court ball. Mrs. Tiffany
(L.) Now, Seraphina my dear, don't be too particular in your attentions to gentlemen not eligible. There is Count Jolimaitre, decidedly the most fashionable foreigner in town,--and so refined,--so much accustomed to associate with the first nobility in his own country that he can hardly tolerate the vulgarity of Americans in general. ”

“ Bah! no man takes pleasure in remarking the superiority of another! Why the deuce can't you speak the truth, man? But it's not the fashion I suppose! I have not seen one frank, open face since--no, no, I can't say that either, though lying is catching! There's that girl, Gertrude, who is trying to teach your daughter music--but Gertrude was bred in the country! Mr. Tiffany
A good girl; my wife and daughter find her very useful. ”

“ Tiffany surrounds you; the tempests, which her temper raises! Gertrude
They never harm me. Flowers and herbs are excellent tutors. I learn prudence from the reed, and bend until the storm has swept over me! Colonel Howard
Admirable philosophy! But still this frigid atmosphere of fashion must be uncongenial to you? Accustomed to the pleasant companionship of your kind friends in Geneva, surely you must regret this cold exchange? Gertrude
Do you think so? Can you suppose that I could possibly prefer a ramble in the woods to a promenade in Broadway? ”

“ Julia looked stunning! By Jove! she was the handsomest woman there. There isn't another in New York anywhere near her age who can touch her. They say every one asked about her in London when she went out with her sister in English society, and I don't wonder. You know she has a tall crown of diamonds—tiaras, they call them—I've always been ashamed to tell you before! She came home with it from Tiffany's one day, and said it was my birthday present to her, and I let it go at that. Well, last night no Duchess could have worn the same sort of thing any better. ”

“ Helen was dressed very simply, of course, and no jewels, but looked so sweet. Lord —— was devotion itself all evening. Naturally every one is on the qui vive for the engagement, but that's all right. They danced the cotillon together. We had charming favors, not too extravagant—that's such wretched taste—but things we bought in Venice last year, and Hungarian things, and some Russian, and a set of tiny gold things Tiffany got up especially for us. ”

“ You must pacify Pa, and put him in a good humour before I come back, though now I'm to be a countess I suppose I shouldn't care!" Undutiful hussy! "We are going to make a little excursion and will be back in a week--Your dutiful daughter--Seraphina." A man's curse is sure to spring up at his own hearth,--here is mine! The sole curb upon that villain gone, I am wholly in his power! Oh! the first downward step from honor--he who takes it cannot pause in his mad descent, and is sure to be hurried on to ruin! Mrs. Tiffany
Why, Mr. Tiffany, how you do take on! ”

“ You may devote yourself to him. Mrs. Proudacre is dying to become acquainted with him. By the by, if she or her daughters should happen to drop in, be sure you don't introduce them to the Count. It is not the fashion in Paris to introduce--Millinette told me so. (Enter Zeke, L. U. E.)
Zeke
(in a very loud voice) Mister T. Tennyson Twinkle! Mrs. Tiffany
Show him up. (Exit Zeke L.)
Prudence
I must be running away! (going) Mrs. Tiffany
Mr. T. Tennyson Twinkle--a very literary young man and a sweet poet! It is all the rage to patronize poets! Quick, Seraphina, hand me that magazine.--Mr. ”

“ I told you so! (they all stand aghast; Mrs. Tiffany, R., with her hands lifted in surprise and anger; Trueman, R. C., clutching his stick; Howard, L. C., looking with an expression of bewildered horror from the Count to Gertrude.) ”

“ Adam Trueman
How very dutiful! and how disinterested! (Tiffany retires up--and paces the stage, exhibiting great agitation.)
Prudence
(to Trueman) All the single folks are getting married! Adam Trueman
No they are not. You and I are single folks, and we're not likely to get married. Mrs. Tiffany
My dear Mr. Trueman--my sweet Gertrude, when my daughter, the Countess, returns, she will be delighted to hear of this deenooment! I assure you that the Countess will be quite charmed! Gertrude
The Countess? Pray Madam where is Seraphina? Mrs. ”

“ Tiffany
Do, you think so, Millinette? Well, I believe I have. But a woman of refinement and of fashion can always accommodate herself to everything foreign! And a week's study of that invaluable work--"French without a Master," has made me quite at home in the court language of of Europe! But where is the new valet? I'm rather sorry that he is black, but to obtain a white American for a domestic is almost impossible; and they call this a free country! What did you say was the name of this new servant, Millinette? Millinette
He do say his name is Monsieur Zeke. Mrs. ”

“ We may desire the salvation of individuals on our own account, for our own enjoyment, and also from a love divorced from all considerations of self, which stands out holy, pure, and undefiled for a being outside of itself. The mother, in loving her child, experiences happiness; and as she presses it to her bosom, and imprints upon its delicate cheek the maternal kiss, there is joy deep and unutterable awakened in that mother’s bosom; but she does not kiss the child that she may have the joy. It is not her joy and happiness that she seeks, but the comfort, happiness, and welfare of the child ”