I thought I would share this delicious fashion print I have just bought with you.
It is from Le Beau Monde for December 1807 and is entitled Evening Full Dresses.
The expressions on the faces of the two elegant women remind me forcefully of the two Miss Bingleys when Elizabeth Bennett declines an invitation to join the card table.
"Miss Eliza Bennett," said Miss Bingley, "despises cards..."
But what is going on with the couple seated at the table? The gentleman appears to be keeping his composure, but the young lady is looking decidedly skittish. Surely they are not playing footsie under there?
Louise Allen
4 comments:
Or she's saying that he's mine, don't even think about it! :)
Lois
Another couple of possibilities are (1) she's angling her neck in that way so that he'll get a good view of her décolletage (but he doesn't seem to be taking advantage of the opportunity - perhaps he's not interested in her, despite all her efforts) and (2) she's damaged the table (maybe by spilling her drink on it) and now that her hostess has come across to talk to her, she's desperately trying to hide the evidence by placing both arms right across it.
What a lovely picture! I think the body language of the couple at the table says there is definitely more than a game of cards going on here.
Just taken another look at the picture and wonder if it's even more serious than we thought - we cannot see the gentleman's left hand - is he in fact grasping the fingers of the lady standing up - what intrigue is going on here???
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