Elinor Wyllys, vol 2 | Page 9

the females were gaily
dressed in their summer attire; most of the faces looked
good-humoured, as if pleased to escape from the heat and confinement
of the town, to cooler air, and a sight of the water and green woods.
One might have supposed it a party of pleasure on a large scale; in fact,
Americans seem always good-natured, and in a pleasant mood when in
motion; such is their peculiar temperament. The passengers on board
the North America soon began to collect in knots, family-groups, or
parties of acquaintance; some chatting, some reading, some meditating.
There was one difficulty, however, want of space to move about in, or
want of seats for some of those who were stationary.
After the boat had fairly begun her trip, and people had settled

themselves as well as they could, according to their different fancies, a
pretty little woman appeared at the door of the ladies' cabin. In her light
hair, and somewhat insipid face, encased in an extremely fashionable
hat, we recognise Mrs. Hilson. Turning towards a gentleman who
seemed waiting near the door for her, she addressed him.
"Now, Monsieur Bonnet, do exert your gallantry, and find me a seat on
deck. The cabin is intolerably warm, I cannot stay here;--where are
Emmeline and the Baron?"
"You see, Madame," he said, pointing towards the couple, "Montbrun
take a tabouret at once, when we come on board, and Mademoiselle
Emmeline now has it. It was very maladroit in me not to keep one for
you; I beg a t'ousand pardons."
{"tabouret" = a stool; "maladroit" = careless (French)}
"Haven't you got a seat; that is a pity. But I dare say you can easily find
one."
"Vraiment, ma chere Madame EEL-sun, there is no sacrifice I would
not make to procure you one. I am desole it should be impossible. I
have been looking; but all the tabourets and chair are taken by ladies
and gentlemans. You have a drole de maniere of travel in this countree;
so many people together, the ladies must be victimes sometime."
{"Vraiment, ma chere..." = truly, my dear...; "drole de maniere" =
funny way (French)}
"Oh, no; you don't know how to manage, that is all. Has not the Baron
a chair?"
"Non, Madame; you see he is debout."
{"debout" = standing (French)}
"Well, there are some gentlemen seated; I see three or four--one quite
near you. Ask him for his chair."
The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders, and looked bewildered.
"Pray, ask that gentleman for his chair," repeated the lady, pointing
with her parasol to a person sitting at no great distance.
"But, Madame, the gentleman will not know what a charming lady
wish for the chair--he will not give it."
"Oh, no danger; if you tell him it is for a lady, of course he will let you
have it. Why, how slow you are about it; you are almost as bad as
Captain Kockney, who never did anything when he was asked."
"Ah, Madame, de graces do not say that!--I go."

{"de graces" = please (French)}
And Monsieur Bonnet, edging his way here and there behind the ladies,
and begging ten thousand pardons, at length reached the person Mrs.
Hilson had pointed out to him.
"What did you say?" exclaimed this individual, looking up rather
gruffly, at being addressed by an utter stranger.
"Mille pardons, Monsieur," continued Monsieur Bonnet; "a lady is very
much oppressed with fatigue, and send me to beg you will be aimable
to give her your chair."
{"mille pardons" = excuse me; "aimable" = obliging enough (French)}
"What is it?" repeated the man, who looked like an Englishman; "I
don't understand you."
Monsieur Bonnet again urged his request, in terms still more civil. It
would be rendering a very great service to the lady, he said.
"I am not acquainted with the lady; I advise you to look for an empty
chair," replied the other, resolutely turning his face in an opposite
direction.
Monsieur Bonnet shrugged his shoulders, and was moving towards Mrs.
Hilson au desespoir, when a gentlemanly-looking man, who was seated,
reading, not far from the Englishman, rose and quietly offered his
bench for the use of the lady. Monsieur Bonnet was, of course, all
gratitude, and returned enchante to Mrs. Hilson, who took the matter
very quietly; while M. Bonnet seemed surprised at his own success.
{"au desespoir" = in despair; "enchante" = delighted (French)}
The gentleman who had given up his seat, was obliged to continue
standing; shutting up his book, he began to look about him, among the
crowd, for acquaintances. There was a very gay, noisy party, at no great
distance, which first attracted his attention; it consisted of two pretty
young women in the centre of a group of men. The shrill voice and
rattling