Then , as she calmly bobbed up and down in the water , she said to herself : ` The child has a good stage face , vivid , mobile ; fine eyes , abandon , pluck , will . Perhaps she 'll do . Good stock -- talent in the family . We shall see . ' Of course Josie never slept a wink , and was in a fever of joyful excitement next day . Uncle Laurie enjoyed the episode very much , and Aunt Amy looked out her most becoming white dress for the grand occasion ; Bess lent her most artistic hat , and Josie ranged the wood and marsh for a bouquet of wild roses , sweet white azalea , ferns , and graceful grasses , as the offering of a very grateful heart . At ten she solemnly arrayed herself , and then sat looking at her neat gloves and buckled shoes till it was time to go , growing pale and sober with the thought that her fate was soon to be decided ; for , like all young people she was sure that her whole life could be settled by one human creature , quite forgetting how wonderfully Providence trains us by disappointment , surprises us with unexpected success , and turns our seeming trials into blessings . ' I will go alone : we shall be freer so . Oh , Bess , pray that she may tell me rightly ! So much depends on that ! Do n't laugh , uncle ! It is a very serious moment for me . Miss Cameron knows that , and will tell you so . Kiss me , Aunt Amy , since mamma is n't here . If you say I look nice , I 'm quite satisfied . Good-bye . ' And with a wave of the hand as much like her model 's as she could make it , Josie departed , looking very pretty and feeling very tragical . Sure now of admittance , she boldly rang at the door which excluded so many , and being ushered into a shady parlour , feasted her eyes upon several fine portraits of great actors while she waited . She had read about most of them , and knew their trials and triumphs so well that she soon forgot herself , and tried to imitate Mrs Siddons as Lady Macbeth , looking up at the engraving as she held her nosegay like the candle in the sleep-walking scene , and knit her youthful brows distressfully while murmuring the speech of the haunted queen . So busy was she that Miss Cameron watched her for several minutes unseen , then startled her by suddenly sweeping in with the words upon her lips , the look upon her face , which made that one of her greatest scenes . '
I never can do it like that ; but I 'll keep trying , if you say I may , ' cried XXXXX , forgetting her manners in the intense interest of the moment .
Amy Bess Cameron Josie Laurie Macbeth Providence minutes nosegay parlour