the ways of men(人们的手段)-第30章
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consigned for the evening； … some bored man about town who has
probably taken her mother in to dinner twenty years before； and will not
trouble himself to talk with his neighbor； or a schoolboy； breaking in his
first dress suit； … when one realizes that for many maidens this goes on
night after night and season after season； it seems incredible that they
should have the courage； or think it worth their while to keep up the game。
The logical result of turning eternally in the same circle is that nine
times out of ten the men who marry choose girls out of their own set； some
pretty stranger who has burst on their jaded vision with all the charm of
the unknown。 A conventional society maiden who has not been fortunate
enough to meet and marry a man she loves； or whose fortune tempts her；
during the first season or two that she is 〃out；〃 will in all probability go on
revolving in an ever…narrowing circle until she becomes stationary in its
centre。
In comparison with such an existence the life of the average 〃summer
girl〃 is one long frolic； as varied as that of her aristocratic sister is
monotonous。 Each spring she has the excitement of selecting a new battle…
ground for her manoeuvres； for in the circle in which she moves； parents
leave such details to their children。 Once installed in the hotel of her
choice； mademoiselle proceeds to make the acquaintance of an entirely
new set of friends； delightful youths just arrived； and bent on making the
most of their brief holidays； with whom her code of etiquette allows her to
sail all day； and pass uncounted evening hours in remote corners of piazza
or beach。
As the words 〃position〃 and 〃set〃 have no meaning to her young ears；
and no one has ever preached to her the importance of improving her
social standing； the acquaintances that chance throws in her path are
accepted without question if they happen to be good…looking and amusing。
She has no prejudice as to standing； and if her supply of partners runs
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short； she will dance and flirt with the clerk from the desk in perfect good
humor … in fact； she stands rather in awe of that functionary； and admires
the 〃English〃 cut of his clothes and his Eastern swagger。 A large hotel is
her dream of luxury； and a couple of simultaneous flirtations her ideal of
bliss。 No long evenings of cruel boredom； in order to be seen at smart
houses； will cloud the maiden's career； no agonized anticipation of retiring
partnerless from cotillion or supper will disturb her pleasure。
In the city she hails from； everybody she knows lives in about the
same style。 Some are said to be wealthier than others； but nothing in their
way of life betrays the fact； the art of knowing how to enjoy wealth being
but little understood outside of our one or two great cities。 She has that
tranquil sense of being the social equal of the people she meets； the
absence of which makes the snob's life a burden。
During her summers away from home our 〃young friend〃 will meet
other girls of her age； and form friendships that result in mutual visiting
during the ensuing winter； when she will continue to add more new names
to the long list of her admirers； until one fine morning she writes home to
her delighted parents that she has found the right man at last； and engaged
herself to him。
Never having penetrated to those sacred centres where birth and
wealth are considered all…important； and ignoring the supreme importance
of living in one set； the plan of life that such a woman lays out for herself
is exceedingly simple。 She will coquette and dance and dream her pleasant
dream until Prince Charming； who is to awaken her to a new life； comes
and kisses away the dew of girlhood and leads his bride out into the work…
a…day world。 The simple surroundings and ambitions of her youth will
make it easy for this wife to follow the man of her choice； if necessary； to
the remote village where he is directing a factory or to the mining camp
where the foundations of a fortune lie。 Life is full of delicious possibilities
for her。 Men who are forced to make their way in youth often turn out to
be those who make 〃history〃 later； and a bride who has not become
prematurely BLASEE to all the luxuries or pleasures of existence will
know the greatest happiness that can come into a woman's life； that of
rising at her husband's side； step by step； enjoying his triumphs as she
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shared his poverty。
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CHAPTER 25 … La Comedie
Francaise a Orange
IDLING up through the south of France； in company with a
passionate lover of that fair land； we learned on arriving at Lyons； that the
actors of the Comedie Francaise were to pass through there the next day；
EN ROUTE for Orange； where a series of fetes had been arranged by 〃Les
Felibres。〃 This society； composed of the writers and poets of Provence；
have the preservation of the Roman theatre at Orange （perhaps the most
perfect specimen of classical theatrical architecture in existence）
profoundly at heart； their hope being to restore some of its pristine beauty
to the ruin； and give from time to time performances of the Greek
masterpieces on its disused stage。
The money obtained by these representations will be spent in the
restoration of the theatre； and it is expected in time to make Orange the
centre of classic drama； as Beyreuth is that of Wagnerian music。
At Lyons； the CORTEGE was to leave the Paris train and take boats
down the Rhone； to their destination。 Their programme was so tempting
that the offer of places in one of the craft was enough to lure us away from
our prearranged route。
By eight o'clock the following morning； we were on foot； as was
apparently the entire city。 A cannon fired from Fort Lamothe gave the
signal of our start。 The river； covered with a thousand gayly decorated
craft； glinted and glittered in the morning light。 It world be difficult to
forget that scene； … the banks of the Rhone were lined with the rural
population； who had come miles in every direction to acclaim the passage
of their poets。
Everywhere along our route the houses were gayly decorated and
arches of flowers had been erected。 We float past Vienne； a city once
governed by Pontius Pilate； and Tournon； with its feudal chateau； blue in
the distance； then Saint Peray； on a verdant vine…clad slope。 As we pass
under the bridge at Montelimar； an avalanche of flowers descends on us
from above。
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The rapid current of the river soon brings our flotilla opposite Vivier；
whose Gothic cathedral bathes its feet in the Rhone。 Saint Esprit and its
antique bridge appear next on the horizon。 Tradition asserts that the Holy
Spirit； disguised as a stone mason； directed its construction； there were
thirteen workmen each day； but at sunset； when the men gathered to be
paid； but twelve could be counted。
Here the mayor and the municipal council were to have received us
and delivered an address； but were not on hand。 We could see the tardy
CORTEGE hastening towards the bridge as we shot away down stream。
On nearing Orange； the banks and quays of the river are alive with
people。 The high road； parallel with the stream； is alive with a many…
colored throng。 On all sides one hears the language of Mistral； and
recognizes the music of Mireille sung by these pilgrims to an artistic
Mecca； where a miracle is to be performed … and classic art called forth
from its winding… sheet。
The population of a whole region is astir under the ardent Provencal
sun； to witness a resurrection of the Drama in the historic valley of the
Rhone； through whose channel the civilization and art and culture of the
old world floated up into Europe to the ceaseless cry of the CIGALES。
Chateaurenard！ our water journey is ended。 Through the leafy avenues
that lead to Orange； we see the arch of Marius and the gigantic proscenium
of the theatre； rising above the roofs of the little city。
So few of our compatriots linger in the south of France after the spring
has set in； or wander in the by…ways of that inexhaustible country； that a
word about the representations at Orange may be of interest； and
perchance create a desire to see the masterpieces of classic drama （the
common inheritance of all civilized races） revived with us； and our stage
put to its legitimate use； cultivating and elevating the taste of the people。
One would so gladly see a little of the money that is generously given
for music used to revive in America a love for the classic drama。
We are certainly not inferior to our neighbors in culture or appreciation；
and yet such a performance as I witnessed at Orange （laying aside the
enchantment lent by the surroundings） would not be possible here。 Why？
But to return to my narrative。
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The sun is setting as we toil； ticket in hand； up the Roman stairway to
the upper rows of seats； far below the local GENDARMERIE who mostly
understand their orders backwards are struggling with the throng； whose
entrance they are apparently obstructin
