Meg could n't refuse the offer so kindly made , for a desire to see if she would be ' a little beauty ' after touching up caused her to accept and forget all her former uncomfortable feelings toward the Moffats . On the Thursday evening , Belle shut herself up with her maid , and between them they turned Meg into a fine lady . They crimped and curled her hair , they polished her neck and arms with some fragrant powder , touched her lips with coralline salve to make them redder , and Hortense would have added ' a soupcon of rouge ' , if Meg had not rebelled . They laced her into a sky-blue dress , which was so tight she could hardly breathe and so low in the neck that modest Meg blushed at herself in the mirror . A set of silver filagree was added , bracelets , necklace , brooch , and even earrings , for Hortense tied them on with a bit of pink silk which did not show . A cluster of tea-rose buds at the bosom , and a ruche , reconciled Meg to the display of her pretty , white shoulders , and a pair of high-heeled silk boots satisfied the last wish of her heart . A lace handkerchief , a plumy fan , and a bouquet in a shoulder holder finished her off , and Miss Belle surveyed her with the satisfaction of a little girl with a newly dressed doll . `` Mademoiselle is charmante , tres jolie , is she not ? '' cried Hortense , clasping her hands in an affected rapture . `` Come and show yourself , '' said Miss Belle , leading the way to the room where the others were waiting . As Meg went rustling after , with her long skirts trailing , her earrings tinkling , her curls waving , and her heart beating , she felt as if her fun had really begun at last , for the mirror had plainly told her that she was ' a little beauty ' . Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase enthusiastically , and for several minutes she stood , like a jackdaw in the fable , enjoying her borrowed plumes , while the rest chattered like a party of magpies . `` While I dress , do you drill her , Nan , in the management of her skirt and those French heels , or she will trip herself up . Take your silver butterfly , and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head , Clara , and do n't any of you disturb the charming work of my hands , '' said Belle , as she hurried away , looking well pleased with her success . `` You do n't look a bit like yourself , but you are very nice . I 'm nowhere beside you , for Belle has heaps of taste , and you 're quite French , I assure you . Let your flowers hang , do n't be so careful of them , and be sure you do n't trip , '' returned Sallie , trying not to care that Meg was prettier than herself . Keeping that warning carefully in mind , Margaret got safely down stairs and sailed into the drawing rooms where the Moffats and a few early guests were assembled . She very soon discovered that there is a charm about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people and secures their respect . Several young ladies , who had taken no notice of her before , were very affectionate all of a sudden .
Several young gentlemen , who had only stared at her at the other party , now not only stared , but asked to be introduced , and said all manner of foolish but agreeable things to her , and several old XXXXX , who sat on the sofas , and criticized the rest of the party , inquired who she was with an air of interest .
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