The epidemic spread through
the whole school, and resulted in scoldings, punishments, and finally
threats to have your hair cut off. Do you remember, Maria? Our very
souls were enthralled by the magnificent black plait that hung like a
rope to your heels!'
Donna Maria smiled a mournful, dreamy smile. Her lips were slightly
parted, the upper one projecting the least little bit beyond the under
one; the corners of her mouth drooped plaintively, the soft curve losing
itself in shadow which gave her an expression both sad and kind, but
with a dash of that pride which reveals the moral elevation of those who
have suffered much and been strong.
To Andrea the story of these girls enamoured of a plait of hair,
enflamed with passion and jealousy, wild to pass a comb or their fingers
through the living treasure, seemed a charming and poetic episode of
convent life, and in his imagination, this woman with the sumptuous hair
became vaguely illumined like the heroine of some Christian legend of
the childhood of a saint destined for martyrdom and future canonisation.
At the same time, it struck him what rich and varied lines might be
afforded to the design of a female figure by the undulating masses of
that black hair.
Not that it was really black, as Andrea perceived next day at dinner,
when a ray of sunshine touched the lady's head, bringing out sombre
violet lights, reflections as of tempered steel or burnished silver.
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