The Silver Swan

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ... in frolicsome derision. But Mamma, who thought it was an excellent precedent if their host gave them everything they admired, and therefore determined to admire everything, chid her daughters by a frown, and received her nosegay with as much gravity as if the king had given it her. On passing through the hall, Baron Kellermann made a sudden halt, and pointing to the oak panelling from whence the Count's arms had been removed to make room for his own, consisting of a swan holding an ear of corn in its beak--an ingenious allegory invented by the Bishop, in allusion to the flour-sack full of gold--he observed in language more homely than elegant: "You see, neighbour, I Ve hung up my own sign here, just as you would have done if you had taken the Silver Swan of me, which, supposing you had been keeping an inn of your own, you would have replaced by your own Blue Boar or Golden Cross, or whatever it might have been." The heads of the family could not help wincing at what they considered a sort of desecration, and finding it impossible to carry on the admiring system, in this instance, they wisely remained silent. They were next promenaded through the apartments, where the shabby old hangings had been replaced by the most gorgeous stuffs. Gold embroideries and gilt cornices met--nay fatigued the eye at every turn, and the profusion of ornament and the quantity of valuables heaped together made the whole castle resemble one vast shop. But though taste was entirely absent from the new owner's dwelling, wealth was everywhere conspicuous to a degree almost of impertinence, and the sight of these riches caused sundry speculations to light up the features of the impoverished nobleman; while the Countess, with a smile that might have done duty for...