"She is fainting. When
people faint, they keep their eyes shut."
"Yes, but I am the only one that has got black hair. That will shew. Her
hair ought to be black."
"Why will not other hair do just as well?" said Daisy.
"Why, because she was a Jewess."
"Do Jewesses always have black hair?"
"Of course they _ought_ to have black hair," said Nora; "or Hamilton
Rush would not have said that. And my hair is black."
Daisy was silent. She said nothing to this proposition. The children
were both silenced for a little while the practising for "Marie
Antoinette" was going on. The principal part in this was taken by
Frederica, who was the beauty of the company. A few touches of Mrs.
Sandford's skilful hands transformed her appearance wonderfully. She put
on an old-fashioned straight gown, which hung in limp folds around her;
and Mrs. Sandford arranged a white handkerchief over her breast, tying
it in the very same careless loose knot represented in the picture; but
her management of Frederica's hair was the best thing. Its soft fair
luxuriance was, no one could tell how, made to assume the half dressed,
half undressed air of the head in Delaroche's picture; and Frederica
looked the part well.
"She should throw her head a little more back,"--whispered Hamilton Rush
to the manager;--"her head or her shoulders. She is not quite indignant
enough."
"That handkerchief in her hand is not right--" said Preston in a
responding whisper. "You see to it--while I get into disguise.
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