altierra:“This is certainly a most elegant assembly, madam. I do not know when I last saw so m

altierra:

“This is certainly a most elegant assembly, madam. I do not know when I last saw so many handsome faces and graceful figures gathered together in one place. And every one of them in the utmost bloom of youth. I confess that I am surprized to see no older people in the room. Have these ladies and gentlemen no mothers and fathers? No aunts or uncles?”

“What an odd remark!” she replied, laughing. “Why should the Master of Lost-hope House invite aged and unsightly persons to his ball? Who would want to look at them? Besides we are not so young as you suppose. England was nothing but dreary wood and barren moor when last we saw our sires and dams…”

Costumes from Lost-hope ball requested by anonymous