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hen Scarlett reached the entrance to the ballroom, it was her turn to
stop short, unaware that there were others following herShe was
overwhelmed by a beauty that was magical, too lovely to be realThe
huge ballroom was lit brilliantly, yet softly, by candlelightFrom
four cascades of crystal that seemed to float high aboveFrom paired
gilt-and-crystal sconces on the long side wallsFrom tall giltframed
mirrors that reflected the flames again and again in opposing images
From night-black tall windows that acted as mirrorsFrom tall
multi-armed silver candelabra on long tables at each side of the door,
holding monumental silver punch bowls that held curving light
reflections golden in their rounded sidesScarlett laughed with
delight and stepped across the sill
“Are you having a good time?” Rhett asked her much later”My, yes!
It really is the best ball of the Season She meant it, the evening
had been everything a ball should be, filled with music and laughter
and happiness on all sidesShe’d been less than pleased when she
was
given her dance card, even though it was presented with a bouquet of
gardenias framed in silver-lace paperThe Governors of the Society,
it seemed, filled in the names on all the ladies’ cards in advance
But then she saw that the regimentation was masterfully
orchestrated
She was partnered by men she knew, men she had never met before,
old
men, young men, long-time Charlestonians, visiting guests,
Charlestonians who lived in many other places but always came home
for
the Saint CeciliaSo that every dance held the tantalizing potential
of surprise and the assurance of change
Middleton Courtney’s name wasn’t on her cardShe had nothing to
think
about except the pleasure of being in the exquisite room dancing to
the
beautiful musicIt was the same for everyoneScarlett giggled when
she saw her aunts dancing every dance; even Eulalie’s usually
sorrowful
face was alight with pleasureThere were no wallflowers hereAnd
no
awkwardnessesThe terribly young debutantes in their fresh white
gowns were paired with men skillful at both dancing and conversation
She saw Rhett with at least three of them, but never with Anne
Hampt