Alpha Book

Before the end of the
first week Mollie had become the light of the house, perfectly
indispensable to the happiness of its inmates.
Miss Dane was launched into society at a dinner-party given for the
express purpose by "grandmamma". Wondrously pretty looked the youthful
_d?butante_, in silvery silk and misty lace and pearls, her eyes like
blue stars, her cheeks like June roses.
In the wintery dusk of the short December days, Mrs. Walraven
received her guests in the library, an imposing room, oak-paneled,
crimson-draped, and filled from floor to ceiling with a noble collection
of books. Great snow-flakes fluttered against the plate glass, and an
icy blast howled up the avenue, but in the glittering dining-room
flowers bloomed, and birds sung, and tropical fruits perfumed the air;
and radiant under the gas-light, beautiful Miss Dane flashed the light
of her blue eyes, and looked like some lovely little sprite from
fairy-land.
Miss Blanche Oleander, darkly majestic in maize silk and jewels, sat at
Miss Dane's right hand, and eyed her coldly with jealous dislike.


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