Chapter XVI

           ItwasonlythetwentiethofSeptember,whenAgnesandthechildrenreachedParis.Mrs.NorburyandherbrotherFrancishadthenalreadystartedontheirjourneytoItaly—atleastthreeweeksbeforethedateatwhichthenewhotelwastoopenforthereceptionoftravellers.

           ThepersonanswerableforthisprematuredeparturewasFrancisWestwick.

           LikehisyoungerbrotherHenry,hehadincreasedhispecuniaryresourcesbyhisownenterpriseandingenuity;withthisdifference,thathisspeculationswereconnectedwiththeArts.Hehadmademoney,inthefirstinstance,byaweeklynewspaper;andhehadtheninvestedhisprofitsinaLondontheatre.Thislatterenterprise,admirablyconducted,hadbeenrewardedbythepublicwithsteadyandliberalencouragement.Ponderingoveranewformoftheatricalattractionforthecomingwinterseason,Francishaddeterminedtorevivethelanguidpublictastefortheballetbymeansofanentertainmentofhisowninvention,combiningdramaticinterestwithdancing.Hewasnow,accordingly,insearchofthebestdancer(possessedoftheindispensablepersonalattractions)whowastobefoundinthetheatresoftheContinent.Hearingfromhisforeigncorrespondentsoftwowomenwhohadmadesuccessfulfirstappearances,oneatMilanandoneatFlorence,hehadarrangedtovisitthosecities,andtojudgeofthemeritsofthedancersforhimself,beforehejoinedthebrideandbridegroom.Hiswidowedsister,havingfriendsatFlorencewhomshewasanxioustosee,readilyaccompaniedhim.