"We have been to a ball, of which I must give you a description. Last
Tuesday we had just done dinner at about seven, and stepped out into the
balcony to look at the remains of the sunset behind the mountains, when
we heard very distinctly a band of music, which rather excited my
astonishment, as a solitary organ is the utmost that toils up here. I
went out of the room for a few minutes, and, on my returning, Emily said,
'Oh! That band is playing at the farmer's near here. The daughter is
fiancee to-day, and they have a ball.' I said, 'I wish I was going!'
'Well,' replied she, 'the farmer's wife did call to invite us.' 'Then I
shall certainly go,' I exclaimed. I applied to Madame B., who said she
would like it very much, and we had better go, children and all. Some of
the servants were already gone. We rushed away to put on some shawls,
and put off any shred of black we might have about us (as the people
would have been quite annoyed if we had appeared on such an occasion with
any black), and we started. When we reached the farmer's, which is a
stone's throw above our house, we were received with great enthusiasm;
the only drawback being, that no one spoke French, and we did not yet
speak Piedmontese. We were placed on a bench against the wall, and the
people went on dancing. The room was a large whitewashed kitchen (I
suppose), with several large pictures in black frames, and very smoky. I
distinguished the Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, and the others appeared
equally lively and appropriate subjects. Whether they were Old Masters
or not, and if so, by whom, I could not ascertain. The band were seated
opposite us. Five men, with wind instruments, part of the band of the
National Guard, to which the farmer's sons belong. They played really
admirably, and I began to be afraid that some idea of our dignity would
prevent me getting a partner; so, by Madame B.'s advice, I went up to the
bride, and offered to dance with her. Such a handsome young woman! Like