Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 246: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Two hundred or more invitations had been issued, and everybody had made great preparations for the eyent. Mrs. Stewart and Helena both had new and elevant costumes for the occasion. Belle, too, was made happy by having great pains taken with her first ball-dress—a dainty affair of pink silk and white tulle. She looked prettier in pink than in anything else, and preferred it to any other color. Hazel, for some reason, had reveived ho invitation, whieh was the more marked, because it was the only time that her grace had ever neglected her. But if she regretted it, she made no sign, although Belle re- sented the onission with characteristic spirit, and ounce impulsively declared that she would not go without her, But Hazel persuaded her, and seemed really to care 80 little on her own account, that the young girl was led to believe that she was not wounded by the nevlect, marked as it appeared. Hazel made herself very useful assisting the others in dressing tor the occasion. Helena would accept nothing at her hands, but kept the maid busy with her wants, while Mrs. Stewart and Belle were glad to avail themselves of Hazel’s taste and atten- tions. All were ready at last but Mrs. Stewart, who had not yet put on her jewels. Her dress was pale ashes of roges brocaded in silver, and trimmed with crim- son velvet. She was a magnificent looking woman, scarcely less handsome than her elder daughter, who was in cream moire, made up with blue satin. “Hand me that case, Belle,” Mrs. Stewart said to the young girl, and pointing to a large morocco case that lay ou a small table beside the dressing-case. Helena was standing by, impatiently Wadtir ge for her mother to finish dressing. > SSS a ian? 5