The Romance of Isabel Lady Burton volume Ii

grief at leaving my country home. I greatly disliked being primmed and scolded, and I thought dressing up an awful bore, and never going out without a chaperone a greater one. Some things amused me very much. One thing was, that all the footmen with powdered wigs who opened the door when one paid a visit were obsequious if one came in a carriage, but looked as if they would like to shut the door in one's face it one came on foot. Another was the way people stared at me ; it used to make me laugh, but I soon found I must not laugh in their faces. We put our house in order ; we got pretty dresses, and we left our cards ; we were all ready for the season's campaign. I made my debut at a fancy ballat Almack's, which was then very exclusive. We went under the wing of the Duchess of Norfolk. I shall never forget that first ball. To begin at the beginning, there was my dress. How a girl of the present day would despise it ! I wore white tarlatan over white silk, and the first skirt was looped up to my knee with a blush rose. My hair, which was very abundant, was tressed in an indescribable fashion by Alexandre, and decked with blush roses. I had no ornaments ; but I really looked very well, and was proud of myself. We arrived at Almack's about eleven. The scene was dazzlingly brilliant to me as I entered. The grand staircase and ante-chamber were decked with garlands, and festoons of white and gold muslin and ribbons. The blaze of lights, the odour of flowers,... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.