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"What if somebody wants to ride who isn't going to the ball?" "They can't, of courseNobody would even think of itEverybody knows the cars don't run after nine o'clock"Mama, you sound like the duchess in Alice in Wonderland" Eleanor Butler began to laugh, too"I suppose I do," she sputtered cheerfully, then laughed even harderShe was still laughing when the carriage moved forward and stopped and the door was pulled openScarlett looked out onto a scene that made her catch her breathThis was the way a ball should oe be! Tall black iron poles held a pair of enormous lanterns brightly lit with a half dozen gas jetsThey illuminated the deep portico and towering white columns of a temple-like building set back from the street behind a tall iron fenceA gleaming white canvas walkway led from the scoured white marble carriage block to the portico's omega constellation watch crystal stepsOver walkway and block a white canvas awning had been erected"Just think," she said, marvelling, "you could go from your carriage to the Ball in the pouring rain and not a drop of water would touch you"That's the idea," Rhett agreed, "but it's never been testedIt never rains on the night of the Saint Cecilia "Rhett!" Eleanor Butler was genuinely shockedScarlett smiled at Rhett, pleased that he could make fun of something that he took as seriously as this ballHe'd told her all about it, how many years and years it had been going on-everything in Charleston seemed to have been around for at least a hundred years-how it was completely run by men Only men could be members of the Society"Step down, Scarlett," said Rhett, "you should feel right at home hereThis building is the Hibernian HallInside you'll see a plaque with the harp of Ireland in best gold black gucci bags paint Don't be rude," scolded his motherScarlett stepped out with her pugnacious chin-so like her Irish father's-held highWhat were those Yankee soldiers doing? Scarlett's throat contracted with momentary fearWere they planning to cause trouble because they'd been beaten by the ladies before? Then she saw the crowds behind them, eager faces bobbing from side to side in an effort to see the figures emerging from the carriagesWhy, the Yankees are holding people back to make a path for us! Just like servants, like the torch boys or the footmenWhy don't they just give up and go away? Nobody pays them any mind anyhowShe looked over the heads of the soldiers and smiled brilliantly at the staring crowds before she stepped down from the carriage blockIf only she could have had a new gown instead of this tired old thing She'd just have to make the best of balenciaga knock off motorcycle bag itShe took three steps forward, then expertly cast the gown's train from across her arm to fall behind herIt spread out on the white walkway, untouched by dust, to sweep regally behind her as she promenaded into The Ball of the Season She paused in the entrance hall, waiting for the othersHer eyes were drawn upward, following the graceful arc of the staircase to the second floor's wide landing and the glittering candlelit crystal chandelier suspended over the soaring open spaceIt was like the biggest, brightest jewel in the world"Here are the Ellintons," said Mrs"Come this way, Hannah, we'll leave our wraps in the ladies' cloakroom But Hannah Ellinton stopped short in the doorway and backed away involuntarily Rosemary and Scarlett had to move aside quickly to avoid running into the ruby brocade figure in front of themWhat could be wrong? Scarlett craned wholesale gucci handbags her neck to seeThe scene had become so familiar to her during the Season that she couldn't imagine why Hannah was so shockedSeveral girls and women were seated on a low bench near the wallTheir skirts were pulled up above their knees, their feet in basins of soapy waterWhile they gossiped and laughed with one another, their maids washed and dried and powdered their feet, then unrolled their mended stockings up their legs and put their dancing slippers onIt was the regular routine for all the women who walked through the city's dusty streets to the Season's ballsWhat did the Yankee woman expect? That people would dance in their boots? She nudged Mrs"You're blocking the door," she saidHannah apologized and moved on insideEleanor Butler turned from the mirror where she was rearranging her hairpins"Good," she said, "I was afraid for a minute that I'd copies of chanel handbags lost