Laura kindly offered
to present me with a beautiful silk dress for the occasion, but I
delicately, though firmly, declined the gift, for I wished not to appear
otherwise than in my true position. I therefore selected the most
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.
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