that the explorers can substitute snow-huts for tents if they choose, and alter their sleeping-arrangements according to their experience. A few of the articles exhibited, for instance, a carriage to be used on the ice, one must regard as merely ornamental or experimental; but the great majority are of serious usefulness and value, and the ready-packed sledges, with the baggage and food, for parties varying in number from five to twelve, are most interesting. A lay-figure attired in the full Arctic costume looks comfortable, and quite handsome in comparison with the diver in full dress, of whom he reminds one at a first glance.
The perfection of the arrangements is not more impressive to the visitor than is the aspect of the crews. They were all in on Wednesday, and seeing them generally, working or standing about, no one could fail to be struck with their appearance. Health, strength, youth, good looks, these are their characteristics, and the care that has been bestowed upon their selection will, no doubt, be rewarded. It is understood that the "Alert" is "to go to the Pole," so people in "the yard" talked of it as a matter of course, and the "Discovery" to remain in Smith Sound as a depot-ship; but there are ardent admirers of "the Dis" who tell you in confident confidence that they are certain she, too, will make a dash for it. That they will all do their best, and that their "best" is a big word, no one doubts, any more than that they will carry much pride and hope of their countrymen with them, when the explorers shall sail away from May sunshine in England towards the Polar night.
GIANNETTO.
CHAPTER X.
Elvira caught a very severe cold that night — so severe that for days she was unable to leave her bed. Like all ailments in Rome, it partook of the nature of low fever, and weakened her greatly. Easter came and went; but when the day drew near on which Giannetto's London engagement was to begin, she was still too weak for so long a journey. Giannetto, therefore, carefully wrapping her up, and making her as comfortable as possible, took her to Florence, and left her under the loving care of Signora Mattel, while he continued his journey by himself.
Elvira was received by her mother with rapturous joy; the brothers and sisters danced round her; her old father would scarcely let her out of his sight. All this cheered and comforted her wonderfully. There was also the excitement of a wedding in prospect. Adelaide, her second sister, a pretty, dark-eyed girl of seventeen, was to be married to her fiancé, Gaetano Vacchini.
Elvira did not recover her strength as they had hoped she would. She was unable to enter into all the bustle of the family arrangements; but it was her great pleasure to furnish Adelaide with money, and send her out shopping with her mother, or with Violante the servant, and then to witness the ecstasies of the delighted girl when she brought home and exhibited her finery.
"See, see, Elvira! this lace, how beautiful! and a silk gown of the new colour! Carola Brei wore one like it at their house; and she said to me, 'Adelaide, now is your time; do not be married without one. Extravagant! Ah, bah! if one is not extravagant when one is married, when is one to be so? And one must be well dressed at first.' Then see! this shawl. I wept, I entreated the mamma; but she would not give it to me. She said that she had not a baiocco — that it was flimsy trash; and now, thanks to you "and Adelaide threw her arms round her sister's neck, half smothering her with kisses.
The wedding-day came, and it was Elvira's task to dress her sister in the pretty white bridal dress her own taste had chosen. She could not keep her tears from falling fast as she watched the little procession start from the door. She was not strong enough for the whole ceremony, so she reserved herself for the last part, waiting till the little procession appeared in sight on their return from the mairie in the Borgo Ognissanti, and then joining them on their way to church. The religious ceremony was performed at their parish church, San Marco.
They returned home; and then followed all the packing-up of large boxes of bonbons, to be sent to the friends and relations of the bride and bridegroom, so that there was no time for sitting down to think; and the first leisure moment had to be spent in writing a long account of all that had passed to Giannetto in London.
Elvira was now always on the sofa.
