Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 397: what you’re looking at

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

apts La ale. wait. Ie Ae ee: een Ce oe — 5 Paes ee but it is very expensive, is it not, mamma?’ she said, while examining a beautiful pattern of lace wrought with pearls, which Mrs. Earlescourt had suggested as suitable for Mrs. Stewart's reception. “That does not signify, dear; you are to have whatever you like, regardless of expense—for this time at least,” her mother replied, happy that it was = her power to bestow such beautiful things upon ler, When the evening of Mrs. Stewart’s reception ar- rived there was no one present who was more lovely than Hazel. Over a cream-white silk she wore an overdress of the lace embroidered with pearls. Her golden hair was arranged high upon her pretty head, and sur- mounted by an aigrette of pearls:: her beautiful neck and round, white arms were edyered but not concealed by the erfbroitered lace, which was fast- ened at.her throat and wrists by necklace and brace- lets of pearls in an exquisite design—the giftof Mr, Earlescourt, while her toilet was completed by an elegant fan, to match her dress, which was a present from Marie. : MarvTe’s costume was scarcely less lovely, being of pele bins silk made up with tulle and lilies of the valley. Belle wore pink, the same as at the duchess’ pss tion, and Helena was in dead white ottoman, made pertectly plain, with long close sleeves, and high in the neck, while her only ornaments consisted of close bands of filigree silver, set with diamonds, about her throat_and wrists. It was a peculiar costume, yet she had never looked more beautiful. “You look like a nun, but for your_4q nds Helena,” her mother observed, when bd esintctoaikcorn