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           ItwasoneofthemisguidedMedora’smanypeculiaritiestoflouttheunalterablerulesthatregulatedAmericanmourning,andwhenshesteppedfromthesteamerherfamilywerescandalisedtoseethatthecrapeveilsheworeforherownbrotherwasseveninchesshorterthanthoseofhersisters-in-law,whilelittleEllenwasincrimsonmerinoandamberbeads,likeagipsyfoundling.ButNewYorkhadsolongresigneditselftoMedorathatonlyafewoldladiesshooktheirheadsoverEllen’sgaudyclothes,whileherotherrelationsfellunderthecharmofherhighcolourandhighspirits.Shewasafearlessandfamiliarlittlething,whoaskeddisconcertingquestions,madeprecociouscomments,andpossessedoutlandisharts,suchasdancingaSpanishshawldanceandsingingNeapolitanlove-songstoaguitar.Underthedirectionofheraunt(whoserealnamewasMrs.ThorleyChivers,butwho,havingreceivedaPapaltitle,hadresumedherfirsthusband’spatronymic,andcalledherselftheMarchionessManson,becauseinItalyshecouldturnitintoManzoni)thelittlegirlreceivedanexpensivebutincoherenteducation,whichincluded"drawingfromthemodel,"athingneverdreamedofbefore,andplayingthepianoinquintetswithprofessionalmusicians.Ofcoursenogoodcouldcomeofthis;andwhen,afewyearslater,poorChiversfinallydiedinamadhouse,hiswidow(drapedinstrangeweeds)againpulledupstakesanddepartedwithEllen,whohadgrownintoatallbonygirlwithconspicuouseyes.