The reproduction of this piece, which
had vanished from the modern _repertoire_, attracted marked attention.
Her rendering of 'Imogen'--was pronounced superb.
The papers also made passing allusions to her personal beauty. Soon
paragraphs appeared concerning the attentions of Lord A---- and the Earl
of B---- to her; of the infatuation of certain members of the various
diplomatic corps. Young men of fashion were reported as throwing to her
bouquets containing diamonds; others sent horses and carriages to her
residence, with requests for her acceptance. One paper alluded
maliciously to the fact that a certain antiquated nobleman had given her
a New Year's present of _bon bons_, every 'sugared particle' being
folded in a five-pound Bank of England note. The paper added some rough
witticism, and informed the nobleman that his 'assiduities' would be
ineffectual, saying that 'the lady, with true Yankee shrewdness, accepts
all offerings at her shrine, but confers no favors in return.'
So the season wore away until the Spring had again come around. I saw an
announcement in a New York paper that Evelyn Afton (her maiden name),
who had recently acquired such a brilliant reputation in London, etc.
Pages:
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107