For years and years she had planned her "coming out," and she had decided upon a ball at Rotherwood, and an absolute creation of a gown that was to be sent for from Paris.
There would have been some eclat then in emerging from the chrysalis stage of the school-room and becoming a butterfly of society.

To make her first grown-up appearance at Mrs.Desmond's dance and in a home-made dress seemed not so much a "coming out" as an "oozing out." There are degrees in butterflies, and she feared her appearance would resemble not the gorgeous "Red Admiral" or "Painted Lady," but the "Common White Cabbage." If it had not been for the New Year's resolution, some traces of her disappointment would have leaked out, but she kept the secret bravely to herself.

The family indeed knew she was not anxious to go, but set her unwilling attitude down to mere shyness.

Her mother never guessed at the real reason.
There was a tremendous robing on the evening of January the ninth, with Mother and Ingred for lady's-maids, and "The Orphan" hovering about, offering to bring pins or hot water on the chance of getting a peep at the proceedings.

Mrs.Saxon stepped back, when all was complete, and viewed the result somewhat in the spirit of an artist who has finished a picture.