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should have wished； but we must rise to the occasion and make the most
of it。 You are winning the first fruits of your opportunity。 You are the
most envied woman in Clarence at this particular moment； and； unless I
am mistaken； will be the most admired at the ball to…night。〃
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
VI
THE QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY
Shortly after luncheon； Rena had a visitor in the person of Mrs。
Newberry； a vivacious young widow of the town； who proffered her
services to instruct Rena in the etiquette of the annual ball。
〃Now； my dear；〃 said Mrs。 Newberry； 〃the first thing to do is to get
your coronation robe ready。 It simply means a gown with a long train。
You have a lovely white waist。 Get right into my buggy； and we'll go
down town to get the cloth； take it over to Mrs。 Marshall's； and have her
run you up a skirt this afternoon。〃
Rena placed herself unreservedly in the hands of Mrs。 Newberry； who
introduced her to the best dressmaker of the town； a woman of much
experience in such affairs； who improvised during the afternoon a gown
suited to the occasion。 Mrs。 Marshall had made more than a dozen ball
dresses during the preceding month； being a wise woman and
understanding her business thoroughly； she had made each one of them so
that with a few additional touches it might serve for the Queen of Love
and Beauty。 This was her first direct order for the specific garment。
Tryon escorted Rena to the ball； which was held in the principal public
hall of the town； and attended by all the best people。 The champion still
wore the costume of the morning； in place of evening dress； save that long
stockings and dancing…pumps had taken the place of riding…boots。 Rena
went through the ordeal very creditably。 Her shyness was palpable； but it
was saved from awkwardness by her native grace and good sense。 She
made up in modesty what she lacked in aplomb。 Her months in school
had not eradicated a certain self…consciousness born of her secret。 The
brain…cells never lose the impressions of youth； and Rena's Patesville life
was not far enough removed to have lost its distinctness of outline。 Of
the two； the present was more of a dream； the past was the more vivid
reality。 At school she had learned something from books and not a little
from observation。 She had been able to compare herself with other girls；
and to see wherein she excelled or fell short of them。 With a sincere
desire for improvement； and a wish to please her brother and do him credit；
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
she had sought to make the most of her opportunities。 Building upon a
foundation of innate taste and intelligence； she had acquired much of the
self…possession which comes from a knowledge of correct standards of
deportment。 She had moreover learned without difficulty； for it suited
her disposition； to keep silence when she could not speak to advantage。
A certain necessary reticence about the past added strength to a natural
reserve。 Thus equipped； she held her own very well in the somewhat
trying ordeal of the ball； at which the fiction of queenship and the
attendant ceremonies； which were pretty and graceful； made her the most
conspicuous figure。 Few of those who watched her move with easy
grace through the measures of the dance could have guessed how nearly
her heart was in her mouth during much of the time。
〃You're doing splendidly； my dear；〃 said Mrs。 Newberry； who had
constituted herself Rena's chaperone。
〃I trust your Gracious Majesty is pleased with the homage of your
devoted subjects；〃 said Tryon； who spent much of his time by her side and
kept up the character of knight in his speech and manner。
〃Very much；〃 replied the Queen of Love and Beauty； with a somewhat
tired smile。 It was pleasant； but she would be glad； she thought； when it
was all over。
〃Keep up your courage；〃 whispered her brother。 〃You are not only
queen； but the belle of the ball。 I am proud of you。 A dozen women
here would give a year off the latter end of life to be in your shoes to…
night。〃
Rena felt immensely relieved when the hour arrived at which she
could take her departure； which was to be the signal for the breaking…up of
the ball。 She was driven home in Tryon's carriage； her brother
accompanying them。 The night was warm； and the drive homeward
under the starlight； in the open carriage； had a soothing effect upon Rena's
excited nerves。 The calm restfulness of the night； the cool blue depths of
the unclouded sky； the solemn croaking of the frogs in a distant swamp；
were much more in harmony with her nature than the crowded brilliancy
of the ball…room。 She closed her eyes； and； leaning back in the carriage；
thought of her mother； who she wished might have seen her daughter this
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THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
night。 A momentary pang of homesickness pierced her tender heart； and
she furtively wiped away the tears that came into her eyes。
〃Good…night； fair Queen！〃 exclaimed Tryon； breaking into her reverie
as the carriage rolled up to the doorstep； 〃and let your loyal subject kiss
your hand in token of his fealty。 May your Majesty never abdicate her
throne； and may she ever count me her humble servant and devoted
knight。〃
〃And now； sister；〃 said Warwick； when Tryon had been driven away；
〃now that the masquerade is over； let us to sleep； and to…morrow take up
the serious business of life。 Your day has been a glorious success！〃
He put his arm around her and gave her a kiss and a brotherly hug。
〃It is a dream；〃 she murmured sleepily； 〃only a dream。 I am
Cinderella before the clock has struck。 Good…night； dear John。〃
〃Good…night； Rowena。〃
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