It would be ruined before the Ball was over, but...
It would be ruined before the Ball was over, but no matter; it looked
elegant draped over her arm to danceShe had a mysterious red satin
eye mask that covered her face down to the tip of her nose, and her
lips were reddened to match itShe felt very daring, and quite
safe
Tonight she could dance to her heart's content without anyone
knowing
who she was so they could insult herWhat a wonderful idea it was to
have a masquerade! Even with her mask in place Scarlett was
nervous
about entering the ballroom without an escort, but she needn't have
been
A large group of masked revellers was entering the lobby when she
stepped out of her carriage, and she joined them without comment
from
anyoneOnce inside, she looked around her with astonishment
DeGives Opera House had been transformed almost rolex chain beyond
recognition
The handsome theater was now truly a convincing King's palaceA
dance
floor had been built over the lower half of the auditorium, extending
the large stage into a mammoth ballroomMeade
as
Rex was seated on histhrone, with uniformed attendants on each side,
including a Royal Cup BearerIn the center of the Dress Circle was
the biggest orchestra Scarlett had ever seen, and on the floor were
masses of dancers, watchers, wanderersThere was a tangible feeling
of heightened gaiety, a recklessness that arose from the anonymity of
being masked and disguisedAs soon as she entered the room, a man
in
Chinese robes and a long pigtail put his silken arm around her waist
and
whirled her onto the dance floorHe might be a perfect stranger It
was dangerous and exciting The tune was a waltz, her partner a
dizzying
dancerAs vintage omega watches they spun, Scarlett caught glimpses of masked Hindus,
clowns, Harlequins, Pierrettes, nuns, bears, pirates, nymphs, and
cardinals, all dancing as madly as sheWhen the music stopped, she
was breathless"Wonderful," she gasped, "it's wonderfulAll Georgia must be here dancing Not quite," said her
partner"Some had no invitations He gestured upward with his
thumbScarlett saw that the galleries were full of spectators in
ordinary dressSome were not so ordinaryMamie Bart was there,
wearing all her diamonds, surrounded by other dregsWhat a good
thing
I didn't take up with that bunch againThey're too trashy to be
invited anywhereScarlett had managed to forget the origin of her
invitationThe presence of an audience made the Ball seem even
more
desirableShe tossed her head and laughedHer diamond earrings
flashed; she omega speedmaster day-date could see them reflected in the Mandarin's eyes through
the holes in hismaskElbowed aside by a monk
with
his cowl pulled forward to shadow his masked face
Without a word, he took Scarlett's hand, then circled her waist with
his arm when the orchestra struck up a lively polkaShe danced as
she
hadn't danced in yearsShe was giddy, infected by the thrilling
madness of masquerade, intoxicated by the strangeness of it all, by
the
champagne offered on silver trays held by satin-clad pages, by the
delight of being at a party again, by her unquestionable successShe
was a success, and she believed she was unknown, invulnerableShe
recognized the Old Guard dowagersThey had on the same costumes
they'd worn in the paradeAshley was masked, but she knew him as
soon
as she saw himHe wore a mourning band around the sleeve paolo gucci women's watches of
his black-and-white Harlequin outfit
India must have dragged him here so she'd have an escort, Scarlett
thought, how mean of herOf course she doesn't care if it's mean or
not, as long as it's proper, and a man in mourning doesn't have to give
up going out the way a woman doesHe can put an armband on his
best
suit and start courting his next love before his wife's hardly cold in
her graveBut anybody could tell poor Ashley hates being hereLook
at the way he's all droopy in his fancy dress
Well, never you mind, dearThere'll be plenty more houses like the
one Joe Colleton's building nowCome spring you'll be so busy
delivering lumber that you won't have time to be sadAs the evening
wore on, the masquerade mood became even more pronounced
Some of Scarlett's admirers asked her name; one even tried to lift omega seamaster watch her
mask