Strange and unnatural as was the whitening of the hair, it was
effective in enhancing the beauty of Aurelia's dark arched brows,
the soft brilliance of her large velvety brown eyes, and the exquisite
carnation and white of her colouring. Her features were delicately
chiselled, and her face had that peculiar fresh, innocent, soft,
untouched bloom and undisturbed repose which form the special charm
and glory of the first dawn of womanhood. Her little head was well
poised on a slender neck, just now curving a little to one side with
the fatigue of the hours during which it had sustained her headgear.
This consisted of a tiny flat hat, fastened on by long pins, and
adorned by a cluster of campanulas like those on her dress, with a
similar blue butterfly on an invisible wire above them, the dainty
handiwork of Harriet.
The inquiry about conquests was a matter of course after a young
lady's first party, but Aurelia looked too childish for it, and
Betty made haste to reply.
"Aurelia was a very good girl. No one could have curtsied or bridled
more prettily when we paid our respects to my Lady Herries and Mrs.
Churchill, and the Dean highly commended her dancing."
"You danced? Fine doings! I thought you were merely invited to look
on at the game at bowls.
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