Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/270

272 indeed, and I worked for her a number of years; she moved in the second circle, but never had got into the first. One of the ladies of the first circle was about to give a large party, when I went to her and asked if she would not give this lady an invitation to the party. She gave me the invitation, which I carried myself and left at the door, thinking she would be happy and proud of the honor—but, of course, thinking she would know too much of the etiquette of good society to go when the hostess had not visited her personally before the party; but she did go, and seemed to enjoy herself very much. After combing her, a few weeks after, I saw a great change in her; she had given up talking of her own circle, and her whole talk was of the ladies of the upper circle—Mrs. So-and-So that she had so recently met. By much dashing and elegance, she at last got on intimate terms with a lady who had not been very long in the circle herself, and who was no friend of mine. She quite poisoned the mind of this lady against me, though I was the first one who ever got her into the position she then occupied.

I promised to give you a little description of Mrs. H's grand ball—and a grand affair it was. Her house is a large double one, with a very large hall; on one side of this hall is a large double parlor, which has window-hangings of crimson and lace, and two extensive mirrors, together with mantle ornaments and pictures, the most beautiful ever imported from foreign lands. On the other side is a reception-room, of blue and gold; her dining-room is purple and gold; these two rooms are hung with very appropriate pictures; there is a painting of the Empress there, and of many of the old Kings and Queens, together with many