Explore "Proper Pride, Volume III" by B. M. Croker on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The evening of the ball found Alice arraying herself at her cheval glass, an admiring Abigail was twitching and pulling at her dress -- she also admired herself in no small degree. The glass reflected an exquisitely-fitting white silk ball costume, trimmed with clouds of soft lace, tulle, and silver -- it was not merely a dress, it was an inspiration. A thick collar of diamonds encircled her throat -- Reginald's wedding present; three diamond stars to correspond sparkled in her hair; silver and diamond bangles, long white gloves, and a feather fan completed her toilet.
Mary, in pale pink (her particular colour), looked remarkably well; but Alice _killed_ her; no one would look at her twice beside such a dazzling vision of loveliness.