Atthreeo’clockintheafternoon，allthefashionableworldatNicemaybeseenonthePromenadedesAnglais——acharmingplace，forthewidewalk，borderedwithpalms，flowers，andtropicalshrubs，isboundedononesidebythesea，ontheotherbythegranddrive，linedwithhotelsandvillas，whilebeyondlieorangeorchardsandthehills。Manynationsarerepresented，manylanguagesspoken，manycostumesworn，andonasunnydaythespectacleisasgayandbrilliantasacarnival。HaughtyEnglish，livelyFrench，soberGermans，handsomeSpaniards，uglyRussians，meekJews，free-and-easyAmericans，alldrive，sit，orsaunterhere，chattingoverthenews，andcriticzingthelatestcelebritywhohasarrived——RistoriorDickens，VictorEmmanuelortheQueenoftheSandwichIslands。Theequipagesareasvariedasthecompanyandattractasmuchattention，especiallythelowbasketbarouchesinwhichladiesdrivethemselves，withapairofdashingponies，gaynetstokeeptheirvoluminousflouncesfromoverflowingthediminutivevehicles，andlittlegroomsontheperchbehind。
　　Alongthiswalk，onChristmasDay，atallyoungmanwalkedslowly，withhishandsbehindhim，andasomewhatabsentexpressionofcountenance。HelookedlikeanItalian，wasdressedlikeanEnglishman，andhadtheindependentairofanAmerican——acombinationwhichcausedsundrypairsoffeminineeyestolookapprovinglyafterhim，andsundrydandiesinblackvelvetsuits，withrose-coloredneckties，buffgloves，andorangeflowersintheirbuttonholes，toshrugtheirshoulders，andthenenvyhimhisinches。
　　Therewereplentyofprettyfacestoadmire，buttheyoungmantooklittlenoticeofthem，excepttoglancenowandthenatsomeblondegirlinblue。Presentlyhestrolledoutofthepromenadeandstoodamomentatthecrossing，asifundecidedwhethertogoandlistentothebandintheJardinPublique，ortowanderalongthebeachtowardCastleHill。Thequicktrotofponiesfeetmadehimlookup，asoneofthelittlecarriages，containingasingleyounglady，camerapidlydownthestreet。Theladywasyoung，blonde，anddressedinblue。Hestaredaminute，thenhiswholefacewokeup，and，wavinghishatlikeaboy，hehurriedforwardtomeether。
　　“Oh，Laurie，isitreallyyou？Ithoughtyou’dnevercome!“
　　criedAmy，droppingthereinsandholdingoutbothhands，tothegreatscandalizationofaFrenchmamma，whohastenedherdaughter’ssteps，lestsheshouldbedemoralizedbybeholdingthefreemannersofthese`madEnglish’。
　　“Iwasdetainedbytheway，butIpromisedtospendChristmaswithyou，andhereIam。“
　　“Howisyourgrandfather？Whendidyoucome？Whereareyoustaying？“
　　“Verywell——lastnight——attheChauvain。Icalledatyourhotel，butyouwereout。“
　　“Ihavesomuchtosay，Idon’tknowwheretobegin!Getinandwecantalkatourease。Iwasgoingforadriveandlongingforcompany。Flo’ssavingupfortonight。“
　　“Whathappensthen，aball？“
　　“AChristmaspartyatouthotel。TherearemanyAmericansthere，andtheygiveitinhonoroftheday。You’llgowithus，ofcourse？Auntwillbecharmed。“
　　“Thankyou。Wherenow？“askedLaurie，leaningbackandfoldinghisarms，aproceedingwhichsuitedAmy，whopreferredtodrive，forherparasolwhipandbluereinsoverthewhiteponiesbacksaffordedherinfinitesatisfaction。
　　“I’mgoingtothebankersfirstforletters，andthentoCastleHill。Theviewissolovely，andIliketofeedthepeacocks。
　　Haveyoueverbeenthere？“
　　“Often，yearsago，butIdon’tmindhavingalookatit。“
　　“Nowtellmeallaboutyourself。ThelastIheardofyou，yourgrandfatherwrotethatheexpectedyoufromBerlin。“
　　“Yes，IspentamonththereandthenjoinedhiminParis，wherehehassettledforthewinter。Hehasfriendsthereandfindsplentytoamusehim，soIgoandcome，andwegotoncapitally。“
　　“That’sasociablearrangement，“saidAmy，missingsomethinginLaurie’smanner，thoughshecouldn’ttellwhat。
　　“Why，yousee，hehatestotravel，andIhatetokeepstill，soweeachsuitourselves，andthereisnotrouble。Iamoftenwithhim，andheenjoysmyadventures，whileIliketofeelthatsomeoneisgladtoseemewhenIgetbackfrommywanderings。
　　Dirtyoldhole，isn’tit？“headded，withalookofdisgustastheydrovealongtheboulevardtothePlaceNapoleonintheoldcity。
　　“Thedirtispicturesque，soIdon’tmind。Theriverandthehillsaredelicious，andtheseglimpsesofthenarrowcrossstreetsaremydelight。Nowweshallhavetowaitforthatprocessiontopass。It’sgoingtotheChurchofSt。John。“
　　WhileLaurielistlesslywatchedtheprocessionofpriestsundertheircanopies，white-veilednunsbearinglightedtapers，andsomebrotherhoodinbluechantingastheywalked，Amywatchedhim，andfeltanewsortofshynessstealoverher，forhewaschanged，andshecouldnotfindthemerry-facedboysheleftinthemoody-lookingmanbesideher。Hewashandsomerthaneverandgreatlyimproved，shethought，butnowthattheflushofpleasureatmeetingherwasover，helookedtiredandspiritless——notsick，norexactlyunhappy，butolderandgraverthanayearortwoofprosperouslifeshouldhavemadehim。Shecouldn’tunderstanditanddidnotventuretoaskquestions，sosheshookherheadandtouchedupherponies，astheprocessionwoundawayacrossthearchesofthePaglionibridgeandvanishedinthechurch。
　　“Quepensez-vous？“shesaid，airingherFrench，whichhadimprovedinquantity，ifnotinquality，sinceshecameabroad。
　　“Thatmademoisellehasmadegooduseofhertime，andtheresultischarming，“repliedLaurie，bowingwithhishandonhisheartandanadmiringlook。
　　Sheblushedwithpleasure，butsomehowthecomplimentdidnotsatisfyherlikethebluntpraisesheusedtogiveherathome，whenhepromenadedroundheronfestivaloccasions，andtolehershewas`altogetherjolly’，withaheartysmileandanapprovingpatonthehead。Shedidn’tlikethenewtone，forthoughnotblase，itsoundedindifferentinspiteofthelook。
　　“Ifthat’sthewayhe’sgoingtogrowup，Iwishhe’sstayaboy，“shethought，withacurioussenseofdisappointmentanddiscomfort，tryingmeantimetoseemquiteeasyandgay。
　　AtAvigdor’sshefoundtheprecioushomelettersand，givingthereinstoLaurie，readthemluxuriouslyastheywounduptheshadyroadbetweengreenhedges，wheretearosesbloomedasfreshlyasinJune。
　　“Bethisverypoorly，Mothersays。IoftenthinkIoughttogohome，buttheyallsay`stay’。SoIdo，forIshallneverhaveanotherchancelikethis，“saidAmy，lookingsoberoveronepage。
　　“Ithinkyouareright，there。Youcoulddonothingathome，anditisagreatcomforttothemtoknowthatyouarewellandhappy，andenjoyingsomuch，mydear。“
　　Hedrewalittlenearer，andlookedmorelikehisoldselfashesaidthat，andthefearthatsometimesweighedonAmy’sheartwaslightened，forthelook，theact，thebrotherly`mydear’，seemedtoassureherthatifanytroubledidcome，shewouldnotbealoneinastrangeland。PresentlyshelaughedandshowedhimasmallsketchofJoinherscribblingsuit，withthebowrampantlyerectuponhercap，andissuingfromhermouththewords，`Geniusburns!’。
　　Lauriesmiled，tookit，putitinhisvestpocket`tokeepitfromblowingaway’，andlistenedwithinteresttothelivelyletterAmyreadhim。
　　“ThiswillbearegularlymerryChristmastome，withpresentsinthemorning，youandlettersintheafternoon，andapartyatnight，“saidAmy，astheyalightedamongtheruinsoftheoldfort，andaflockofsplendidpeacockscametroopingaboutthem，tamelywaitingtobefed。WhileAmystoodlaughingonthebankabovehimasshescatteredcrumbstothebrilliantbirds，Laurielookedatherasshehadlookedathim，withanaturalcuriositytoseewhatchangestimeandabsencehadwrought。Hefoundnothingtoperplexordisappoint，muchtoadmireandapprove，foroverlookingafewlittleaffectationsofspeechandmanner，shewasassprightlyandgracefulasever，withtheadditionofthatindescribablesomethingindressandbearingwhichwecallelegance。Alwaysmatureforherage，shehadgainedacertainaplombinbothcarriageandconversation，whichmadeherseemmoreofawomanoftheworldthanshewas，butheroldpetulancenowandthenshoweditself，herstrongwillstillhelditsown，andhernativefranknesswasunspoiledbyforeignpolish。
　　Lauriedidnotreadallthiswhilehewatchedherfeedthepeacocks，buthesawenoughtosatisfyandinteresthim，andcarriedawayaprettylittlepictureofabright-facedgirlstandinginthesunshine，whichbroughtoutthesofthueofherdress，thefreshcolorofhercheeks，thegoldenglossofherhair，andmadeheraprominentfigureinthepleasantscene。
　　Astheycameupontothestoneplateauthatcrownsthehill，Amywavedherhandasifwelcominghimtoherfavoritehaunt，andsaid，pointinghereandthere，“DoyouremembertheCathedralandtheCorso，thefishermendraggingtheirnetsinthebay，andthelovelyroadtoVillaFranca，Schubert’sTower，justbelow，andbestofall，thatspeckfarouttoseawhichtheysayilsCorsica？“
　　“Iremember。It’snotmuchchanged，“heansweredwithoutenthusiasm。
　　“WhatJowouldgiveforasightofthatfamousspeck!“saidAmy，feelingingoodspiritsandanxioustoseehimsoalso。
　　“Yes，“wasallhesaid，butheturnedandstrainedhiseyestoseetheislandwhichagreaterusurperthanevenNapoleonnowmadeinterestinginhissight。
　　“Takeagoodlookatitforhersake，andthencomeandtellmewhatyouhavebeendoingwithyourselfallthiswhile，“saidAmy，seatingherself，readyforagoodtalk。
　　Butshedidnotgetit，forthoughhejoinedherandansweredallherquestionsfreely，shecouldonlylearnthathehadrovedabouttheContinentandbeentoGreece。Soafteridlingawayanhour，theydrovehomeagain，andhavingpaidhisrespectstoMrs。
　　Carrol，Laurieleftthem，promisingtoreturnintheevening。
　　ItmustberecordedofAmythatshedeliberatelyprinkedthatnight。Timeandabsencehaddoneitsworkonboththeyoungpeople。
　　Shehadseenheroldfriendinanewlight，notas`ourboy’，butasahandsomeandagreeableman，andshewasconsciousofaverynaturaldesiretofindfavorinhissight。Amyknewhergoodpoints，andmadethemostofthemwiththetasteandskillwhichisafortunetoapoorandprettywoman。
　　TarlatanandtullewerecheapatNice，sosheenvelopedherselfinthemonsuchoccasions，andfollowingthesensibleEnglishfashionofsimpledressforyounggirls，gotupcharminglittletoiletteswithfreshflowers，afewtrinkets，andallmannerofdaintydevices，whichwerebothinexpensiveandeffective。Itmustbeconfessedthattheartistsometimesgotpossessionofthewoman，andindulgedinantiquecoiffures，statuesqueattitudes，andclassicdraperies。
　　But，dearheart，weallhaveoutlittleweaknesses，andfinditeasytopardonsuchintheyoung，whosatisfyoureyeswiththeircomeliness，andkeepourheartsmerrywiththeirartlessvanities。
　　“IdowanthimtothinkIlookwell，andtellthemsoathome，“
　　saidAmytoherself，assheputonFlo’soldwhitesilkballdress，andcovereditwithacloudoffreshillusion，outofwhichherwhiteshouldersandgoldenheademergedwithamostartisticeffect。
　　Herhairshehadthesensetoletalone，aftergatheringupthethickwavesandcurlsintoaHebe-likeknotatthebackofherhead。
　　“It’snotthefashion，butit’sbecoming，andIcan’taffordtomakeafrightofmyself，“sheusedtosay，whenadvisedtofrizzle，puff，orbraid，asthelateststylecommanded。
　　Havingnoornamentsfineenoughforthisimportantoccasion，Amyloopedherfleecyskirtswithrosyclustersofazalea，andframedthewhiteshouldersindelicategreenvines。Rememberingthepaintedboots，shesurveyedherwhitesatinslipperswithgirlishsatisfaction，andchasseddowntheroom，admiringheraristocraticfeetallbyherself。
　　“Mynewfanjustmatchesmyflowers，myglovesfittoacharm，andthereallaceonAunt’smouchoirgivesanairtomywholedress。
　　IfIonlyhadaclassicalnoseandmouthIshouldbeperfectlyhappy，“
　　shesaid，surveyingherselfwithacriticaleyeandacandleineachhand。
　　Inspiteofthisaffliction，shelookedunusuallygayandgracefulassheglidedaway。Sheseldomran——itdidnotsuitherstyle，shethought，forbeingtall，thestatelyandJunoesquewasmoreappropriatethanthesportiveorpiquante。ShewalkedupanddownthelongsaloonwhilewaitingforLaurie，andoncearrangedherselfunderthechandelier，whichhadagoodeffectuponherhair，thenshethoughtbetterofit，andwentawaytotheotherendoftheroom，asifashamedofthegirlishdesiretohavethefirstviewapropitiousone。Itsohappenedthatshecouldnothavedoneabetterthing，forLauriecameinsoquietlyshedidnothearhim，andasshestoodatthedistantwindow，withherheadhalfturnedandonehandgatheringupherdress，theslender，whitefigureagainsttheredcurtainswasaseffectiveasawell-placedstatue。
　　“Goodevening，Diana!“saidLaurie，withthelookofsatisfactionshelikedtoseeinhiseyeswhentheyrestedonher。
　　“Goodevening，Apollo!“sheanswered，smilingbackathim，forhetoolookedunusuallydebonair，andthethoughtofenteringtheballroomonthearmofsuchapersonablemancausedAmytopitythefourplainMissesDavisfromthebottomofherheart。