She came up to him: "How do you like me ?" she asked.
She had on a salmon-colored broche velvet dress, with ostrich feather trimmings, and a long train.

Shoulders and bust rose as out of pink foam from the scarf-like folds of some very airy material; brilliants flashed at her breast and on her arms, the diadem was in her hair, two solitaires in the delicate little ears, a double row of pearls round her neck, and an ostrich feather fan, with enameled gold mounts, in her hand.

A superb figure! "How beautiful!" he said, and stroked her chin fondly.

He dared not touch her cheeks, for fear of disturbing the pearl powder.

"But you look just as regal without the brilliants." "Flatterer! Would you not like to come, after all?
Make haste and dress." He only shook his head, smiling.
"But are you not a little bit jealous, when you see me go off by myself to a ball?
I shall talk to the men, and take their arm and dance with them; the people will look at me and pay me attention--does it not make any difference to you ?" "No, dear heart, for I hope it will make none to you either." "Ah, yes--you need have no fear on that score.