Louisa May Alcott

Shawl-Straps Louisa May Alcott

Book Excerpt: ... A mysterious lady in green velvet with many diamonds, and a shabby, speechless companion, sailed about the ship, regardless of the rumours told of her--deserted husbands, stolen jewellery, lovers waiting on the other side, and many equally pleasant little tales. The gentlemen with orange gloves and copper-coloured noses got themselves up in the most superb style, though few were going to land at Brest, and took tender farewells of such ladies as did, each professing desolation and despair at the termination of a twelve days' flirtation.'I am not fond of dirt, but I could kneel down and kiss this mud, so grateful am I to feel solid ground under my feet, after leading the life of a fly for so long, ' said Lavinia with emotion, as the three trudged up the wharf at Brest into a sort of barn which served for a custom-house..