1842] CHILDHOOD 127
was then arranged that I should call her "Italima" (being a corruption of "Italian Mama"), and by that name I will henceforth speak of her in these memoirs, but this must not be taken to imply any greater intimacy,, as she never treated me familiarly or with affection. I remember the party arriving in their black dress — Italima, Francis, William, Esmeralda, Mr. Gaebler— the admirable tutor, Felix, Victoire, and Clemence — my sister's maid. My sister, as a little child, was always called " the Tigress," but as she grew older, her cousin Lord Norrnanby remonstrated at this. " Then give her another name," said Italima. "Esmeralda"—and Esmeralda she was now always called.
Italima must have found it intensely dull at the Rectory. She used to walk daily to Gardner Street, whore the sight of "somebody" and the village shops was a consolation to her She used to make my sister practise on the pianoforte for hours, and if she did not play well she shut her up for the rest of the day in a dressing-room, and I used to go and push fairy-stories to her under the door. Though she was so severe to my sister, she resented exceedingly any scoldings which Uncle Julius gave to Francis, who richly deserved them, and was terribly spoilt. He was, however, as beautiful as a boy as my sister was as a girl, and a wonderfully graceful pair they made when they danced the tarantella together in the evenings. Altogether my own brothers and sister being as children infinitely more attractive than the Marcus Hares' ? I was much happier with them, which was terribly resented in the family, and any sign I gaveIt I suppose Richard employed the gipsies as his intermediaries. through, the hot lanes. I always liked this expedition and scram-is a safe punishment for naughtiness, more safe, I think, than giving a reward for goodness. c If you are naughty I must punish you,' is often a necessary threat: but it is not good to hold out ad (J<><1 to forgive him for !*'in^ so nau^Imhr- and the most attractive in Florence. thru