d although, in the
freedom of the place, full dress is not exacted, the habit of parade in
full toilet prevails. When King entered the room the scene might well
be called brilliant, and even bewildering, so that in the maze of
beauty and the babble of talk he was glad to obtain the services of Mrs.
Farquhar as cicerone. Between the rim of people near the walls and the
elliptical centre was an open space for promenading, and in this beauty
and its attendant cavalier went round and round in unending show.
This is called the "tread-mill." But for the seriousness of this frank
display, and the unflagging interest of the spectators, there would have
been an element of high comedy in it. It was an education to join a wall
group and hear the free and critical comments on the style, the dress,
the physical perfection, of the charming procession. When Mrs. Farquhar
and King had taken a turn or two, they stood on one side to enjoy the
scene.

"Did you ever see so many pretty girls together before? If you did,
don't you dare say so."

"But at the North the pretty women are scattered in a thousand
places. You have here the whole South to draw on. Are they elected as
representatives from the various districts, Mrs. Farquhar?"

"Certainly. By an election that your clumsy device of the ballot is not
equal to. Why shouldn't beauty have a reputation? You see that old lady
in the corner? Well, forty years ago the Springs just raved over her;
everybody in the South knew her; I suppose she had an average of seven
proposals a week; the young men went wild about her, followed her,
toasted her, and fought duels for her possession--you don't like
duels?--why, she was engaged to three men at one time, and after all she
went off with a worthless fellow."

"That seems to me rather a melancholy history."

"Well, she is a most charming old lady; just as entertaining! I must
introduce you. But this is history. Now look! There's the belle of
Mobile, that tall, stately brunette. And that superb figure, you
wouldn't guess she is the belle of Selma. There is a fascinating girl.
What a mixture of languor and vivacity! Creole, you know; full blood.
She is the belle of New Orleans--or one of them. Oh! do you see that
Paris dress? I must look at it again when it comes around; she carries
it well, too--belle of Richmond. And, see there; there's one of
the prettiest girls in the South--belle of Macon. And that handsome
woman--Nashville?--Louisville? See