zhuangliyin

@@@@@ "I still think it's tacky that you weren't invited "It's the way things are Charlotte was anticipating the evening with pleasureShe planned to go over account bookScarlett's success and Scarlett 5 extravagance greatly exceeded even Charlotte's most optimistic expectations felt like a nabob, and she liked to gloat over her wealthto the coffee hour alone was bringing in "gifts" of almost a pounds a week And there were still two weeks left in the SeasonShe would see Scarlett off to her privileged evening with a light heart Scarlett paused in the doorway of the Throne Room to enjoy the spectacle"You know, Jeffrey, I never get used to this place," she said to the Gentleman Usher"I'm like Cinderella at the ball "I'd never associate you with Cinderella, Scarlett," he said adoringly Scarlett's wink had put his shirt in her pocket when she entered the First Drawing Room"You'd be surprised," Scarlett saidShe nodded absentmindedly in response to bows and smiles from familiar faces nearbyIt couldn't be real, she couldn't really be hereEverything had happened so fast; she needed time to absorb itThe great room shimmered goldGilded columns supported the ceiling, gilded flat column pilasters filled the walls between the tall windows draped in gold-fringed crimson velvetGilt armchairs upholstered in crimson surrounded the supper tables along the walls, each table centered with a gold candelabrumGilt covered the intricately carved gaslit chandeliers and the massive canopy above the gold and red thronesGold lace trimmed men's court dress of brocaded silk skirted coats and white satin knee breechesGold buckles decorated their satin dancing pumpsGold buttons, gold epaulets, gold frogging, gold braid gleamed on the dress uniforms of regimental officers and the court uniforms of Viceregal official