I know that I haven't updated in awhile, but here is the next chapter, ENJOY!

Mary woke up the next morning to find Martha searching through her closet and pulling out various pieces of clothing.

"Martha, what in the world are you doing?"

Martha looked over at her. "Ah, Miss Mary, I am glad that you are up. We need to find that dress that Mr. Colin bought you, and see if it needs any cleaning of any kind. Then we need to have you take a bath, and then get all your accessories together."

"Wait, what? Why do I need to do all that?"

"Why, Miss Mary, don't you remember? Today is the harvest time ball. It starts at six, so we have to get busy."

Martha finally found what she was looking for, and pulled out the dress that Colin had bought Mary. She started to inspect it, and when she was satisfied, she laid it at the end of Mary's bed.

"I am not going."

Martha looked at her. "Why, Miss Mary, what do you mean? You have to go. It is your job as the lady of the house to go to such social events."

"So? I don't want to go to show off for Colin. I would rather eat dirt."

Martha sighed and sat down beside Mary. "Now, Miss Mary, I know that you and Colin have hit a bit of a rough patch in your marriage, and that you are not talking to him now, but this ball could be good for you. It will get you out of the house, and you will be able to socialize with people other then me and the rest of the servants. You need to get out of the house, and going to a ball might be fun for you. Now," Martha stood up and started to smooth out her dress, "it would also be a shame to waste this beautiful dress by not showing it off to other people."

Mary smiled at her. She really did need to get out of the house and away from Colin for at least a night, and she really did want to wear her new dress. Finally she nodded and let Martha get her ready.

The rest of the day, Mary took a bath, tried on her dress to make sure it still fit, had her hair put up in so many different hairstyles by Martha that she lost track of how many, spent a long time trying to figure out which accessories would match her dress, then practicing her dancing real quick to make certain that she still remembered how, and when she passed both Martha and Mrs. Medlock's critical eyes, Martha led her to Colin's room to show him how she looked.

Mary was dreading this part. She didn't want to face Colin now, but he needed to see her for one final inspection.

When she walked in, Colin was lying in bed, as usual, writing something on paper. He looked up when she came in, and motioned for her to stand in front of him. She did, and she watched as he looked at her from head to toe, making Mary blush slightly at him looking at her so closely.

He then had her turn around slowly, which she did, then he gave her one final look and nodded his approval and went back to writing. Mary knew that the inspection was over, and that she could finally leave, but she felt like she wanted Colin to say something, anything really, about how she looked. She remembered how he used to compliment her on everything she wore, even her night gowns.

Mary waited for a few moments, but then sighed and left.

She walked outside to find the driver and her carriage waiting for her. As they rode along, Mary stared out the window, taking in all the beautiful scenery that she had not looked at for a long time. When they finally arrived at the Marker mansion where the ball was being held, many people were entering the mansion, all dressed up extremely well.

Mary sighed one last time, before allowing her driver to help her out, then looked at all the rich people around outside, people she would normally never hang out with, but whom she was now going to spend the entire evening with. She put on her best face, and bravely entered the mansion.

How did you all like this chapter? I remembered that I forgot to mention the ball, which I had mentioned in the second chapter, so I knew that I had to write this. I don't really know what will happen the next chapter, but hopefully my weird mind will cook up something cool. Review please, and until next time, BYE! Li Li