appropriate dress I possessed for the occasion; it was quite plain,
though of rich material. The only ornament I wore was a pearl necklace,
which had been a bridal gift to my mother.

Laura assisted me in making my toilette, and insisted that I should
allow her to place a few natural flowers in my hair, and to please her I
consented to wear them. Laura looked very lovely in the costly dress
purchased for the occasion; she also wore a set of diamond ornaments,
which her father had presented to her on her return from school.

As soon as we had finished our toilettes, we descended to the
drawing-room, where Mr. and Mrs. Leighton had already taken their
places, as it was near the hour when they might expect their guests to
begin to assemble.

I went down thus early to avoid the unpleasantness of entering the
brilliantly lighted drawing-room after it should be filled with guests.
I had requested of the Leightons that I might receive as few
introductions as possible under the circumstances. Truly it was a
brilliant assembly which soon filled those spacious apartments. Among
the guests who first arrived were a Mr. and Mrs. Lawton, with their
daughter, to whom Laura gave me an introduction.

Their kind attentions and lively conversation soon dispelled the feeling
of embarrassment with which I first found myself in the company of so
many wealthy and distinguished people.

Dancing was soon introduced. Dancing was an accomplishment which I had
never learned, as my mother disapproved of the amusement. Willie seemed
disappointed when he invited me to become his partner for the quadrille