After a day of hard work the evening approached quickly. Cinderella began to dress Olivia in the black beaded gown she had chosen. The pearls, beads, and sequins jangled gaudily. Olivia sucked in her stomach as the corset tightened around her curvy frame.

“OW! CINDERELLA , YOU CAN ’T—â€? she took a few ragged breaths and dropped onto the fainting couch. Cinderella smiled with satisfaction at her unconscious step sister and walked across the hall to dress Elizabeth. She would deal with Olivia later.

A silken robe covered Elizabeth’s silken flesh; she appeared as though she might shatter if a sudden gust should blow. Wishfully, Ella began lacing up her corset. A maid who had been dusting helped pull on the layers of skirts, a cage and a thin under dress. At last it was time for the gown to be lowered over Elizabeth’s head. Fifty tiny buttons traced her backbone. Lace dripped from her sleeves and the trim of the gown. Curls were piled in a mountain on her head with pearl pins. She was the picture of elegance.