THE FLIGHT OF EUGENIE. 291 struction, and were changed with a frequency that was ludicrous. She displayed three or four dresses in the course of each day, and even the most expensive were never worn more than twice. Many writers derived their income from describing in the journals of the day these successive " creations " of the Paris milliner and dress- maker. At one time we were told that the Empress wore to mass a blue satin trained dress trimmed with Russian sable, and a bonnet of iris velvet adorned with an aigrette. Again it was recorded that an evening dress in which she appeared was " an apricot silk, puffed all round the bottom with apricot tulle ; flounces worked with silver, fuchsia pattern, and trimmed with Venetian fringe of white silk. Over this an immense train of white satin, softened by apricot tulle, worked with silver fuch- sias and fringe round the borders." Another writer called attention to the fact that the sentiment of her attire was suited to the occasion upon which it was worn. Thus for attending a council of min- isters, she selected a robe of "a grave, reflecting tone, on which hues of steel-gray meet rays of studious brown, the ensemble being burnished armor." She accumulated a collection of fans, furs, laces, and jewels that probably surpassed any other in existence. During the period that elapsed between her marriage and her flight, she received twenty thousand dollars of pin money every month, and this sum she never failed to spend to the last cent. The example which she set was followed only too willingly by many women of France and other countries. Never in modern times have the fashions been more elaborate, extravagant, and senseless than while Eugenie occupied the palaces of France. During this portion of her career she figured in many scenes and pageants which found a place in journalism. Her visit with her husband to the court of Queen Victo- 18
