Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/70

72 was to be kept from her until after the ball; but there was a gentleman who had made up his mind that his two daughters might stand some chance of shining on that occasion, provided Miss H. could be kept out of the ball-room; so he slyly went and told her of this death, knowing at the same time how much her friends desired she should not know it, but the daughters did not make much of a sensation after all—there was too much brilliancy elsewhere. Miss J., as the Morning Star, in a spangled illusion robe, with a diamond star upon her forehead, was lovely. Miss F.F., from Virginia, shone as Night in black spangled illusion and a diamond tiara. Mrs. W., of New York, in a blue moire antique, covered with point lace and flounces, and diamonds among her massive curls, was superb. Miss A., of Augusta, Ga., as a Flower Girl, was spoken of as the loveliest among the lovely.

A season or so rolled on, and the ladies grew very tired of fancy balls. This was not regretted by the proprietor, as they were very expensive, and required a great deal of preparation. The whole house had to be illuminated, and the garden and trees filled with colored lights.

Full-dress balls succeeded the fancy balls, and in the hight of the season at Saratoga the ball-room presented a magnificent sight. The wealthiest persons in the country were there congregated, each trying to outvie the other in magnificence and costliness of apparel. The jewels that sparkled amid fine laces and rich silks were only outshone by the beauty of those they adorned. The proud lady of fashion was there, who, having outlived all her better feelings, was only