Ch.4 Party Preparations (8 ½ years later) Josephine glanced out of her room. The guests were arriving. She sighed heavily and backed away to her mirror. She looked at her reflection. The door opened and two attendants came in; One was carrying a long light pink evening dress with lots of lace and the other was holding a brush. "Now Miss Madelin, ya ought to be gettin ready and ya should be smilin! It's a big party tonight, and I hear that Aaron Cornea is goin ta be attendin!" the attendant holding the dress said. The other attendant handed her a corset and the first attendant began lacing it up around Josephine's waist. "I'm not really looking forward to tonight, Laraine," Josephine said, sighing again as they slipped the dress over her head. "But why Miss Madelin?" the second attendant asked as she began brushing and pinning Josephine's long dark-brown hair. "I'm not really sure, actually, but it partly has to do with my parents having too many extravagant parties this past summer," Josephine replied to Natalie. "I see," Laraine fibbed. Sometimes Miss Madelin used words much to long and large for her. "Besides the fact the Mr. Cornea is a self-centered idiot who only is interested in me because of my money and my looks," Josephine thought to herself. "There! All done!" Natalie exclaimed. "You look like a pretty pink rose, Miss Madelin! "Thank you, Natalie," Josephine said. They turned and left. Josephine watched them go out. She turned back around and looked at her reflection. At eighteen, people still thought she was the most beautiful girl in the village. Her shiny hair down to her waist, eyes who's color changed constantly from blue to green to gray, respectable sized bosom, and still tan, but light colored skin made her one of the most sought after among the young men. Josephine's mother opened the door. " Josephine, come down into the hall and greet people!" she said as she steered Josephine out of the room and into the hall. Josephine grimaced. It was going to be a long evening.