And they did sparkle & glow
like the Devill his Rainbow! All day was I Happy, Hugging of
my Secret to my Heart.
Emily had the brown dress brought Secretly into the House, &
Made for me in mine Own Room. Once was she wishful I might
wear one of the Hynds Rubies, just for one Night, but I chid
her, saying that already the Frock was more than Enough.
Indeed 't is a beautiful Dress. Will serve me well for a
Shroud.
Ever came the Ball nearer & nearer, and all we a-flutter, I
with my hands overfull, my hours overcrowd'd, with Helping
of them. I could not have slept in peace did I not know what
was a-coming.
And then open'd they the Safe in my Aunt's morning-room.
Shall be such a Howling from the Damn'd on the Day of
Judgment as went up from Hynds House that day! Makes me to
think of the text, And there shall be weeping and wailing
and gnashing of teeth.
Lord, how did they run Hither & Thither, what Wailing &
Reproaching & Accusing & Screeching! How did my dear Aunt's
eyes grow Redder than ever Mine had been! How did my Proud
Uncle find his Lofty Crest Lower'd, and was in that Honour
of his Scourg'd more Cruelly than ever old Shooba's Back had
been! How, too, was _her_ Happiness burst like a Bubble,
that had been so rainbow Bright! In that house all wept save
me alone.
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