Something had happened to the evening and the place , for both seemed suddenly endowed with uncommon beauty and interest . The dingy old houses might have been fairy palaces , for anything they saw to the contrary ; the dusty walks , the trampled grass , were regular Elysian fields to them , and the music was the music of the spheres , though they found themselves `` Right in the middle of the boom , jing , jing . '' For both had made a little discovery , -- no , not a little one , the greatest and sweetest man and woman can make . In the sharp twinge of jealousy which the sight of Kitty 's flirtation with Fletcher gave him , and the delight he found in her after conduct , Jack discovered how much he loved her . In the shame , gratitude , and half sweet , half bitter emotion that filled her heart , Kitty felt that to her Jack would never be `` only cousin Jack '' any more . All the vanity , coquetry , selfishness , and ill-temper of the day seemed magnified to heinous sins , for now her only thought was , `` seeing these faults , he ca n't care for me . Oh , I wish I was a better girl ! '' She did not say `` for his sake , '' but in the new humility , the ardent wish to be all that a woman should be , little Kitty proved how true her love was , and might have said with Portia , -- `` For myself alone , I would not be Ambitious in my wish ; but , for you , I would be trebled twenty times myself ; A thousand times more fair , Ten thousand times more rich . '' All about them other pairs were wandering under the patriarchal elms , enjoying music , starlight , balmy winds , and all the luxuries of the season . If the band had played `` Oh , there 's nothing half so sweet in life As love 's young dream -- '' it is my private opinion that it would have suited the audience to a T. Being principally composed of elderly gentlemen with large families , they had not that fine sense of the fitness of things so charming to see , and tooted and banged away with waltzes and marches , quite regardless of the flocks of Romeos and Juliets philandering all about them . Under cover of a popular medley , Kitty overheard Fletcher quizzing her for the amusement of Miss Pinkbonnet , who was evidently making up for lost time . It was feeble wit , but it put the finishing stroke to Kitty 's vanity , and she dropped a tear in her blue tissue retreat , and clung to Jack , feeling that she had never valued him half enough . She hoped he did n't hear the gossip going on at the other side of the tree near which they stood ; but he did , for his hand involuntarily doubled itself up into a very dangerous-looking fist , and he darted such fiery glances at the speaker , that , if the thing had been possible . Fletcher 's ambrosial curls would have been scorched off his head . `` Never mind , and do n't get angry , Jack . They are right about one thing , -- the daisies in my bonnet were real , and I could n't afford any others . I do n't care much , only Pris worked so hard to get me ready I hate to have my things made fun of . '' `` He is n't worth a thrashing , so we 'll let it pass this time , '' said Jack , irefully , yet privately resolving to have it out with Fletcher by and by . `` Why , Kitty , I thought the real daisies the prettiest things about your dress . Do n't throw them away .
I 'll wear them just to show that noodle that I prefer nature to art ; '' and XXXXX gallantly stuck the faded posy in his button-hole , while Kitty treasured up the hint so kindly given for future use .
Elysian Jack Juliets Kitty Pinkbonnet coquetry evening jing right waltzes