Phyllis was the youngest and prettiest of the four sisters. Her looks were in the conventional mode, and though she was no diamond, her rosy cheeks and curly dark hair made a pretty picture in the mirror. She noticed that Mama had fussed the most over her dress and given her the best necklace. Still, that wasn’t terribly unusual. Cordelia was so active that anything she wore had to be in a less formal style, though her lean form carried any gown she wore quite nicely. Emily was hopeless and faded into the background no matter what was done with her. Jo had pale skin and chestnut hair, but once she began speaking, few paid attention to her looks. Well, except for Mr. Dominic, of course.

            She enjoyed most feminine accomplishments such as cookery and needlework more than her sisters did. Being in the kitchen for one and sitting still in the parlor for the other gave her a tendency towards plumpness. No doubt she would rival Great-Aunt Catherine in size as she grew older, but for now, others merely thought her nicely rounded.

            Phyllis knew things had gone badly for them after Father died, but hadn't understood how spending a fortune on a ball would help. The day before, though, Jo had bluntly told her that at least one of them was expected to marry well. “Don’t worry about it, puss,” her older sister had said. “A pigeon like you will be buried in invitations, flowers, and proposals. Mama told me she wouldn’t let any of us go to someone who isn’t right. Ask me or Cordelia if you have any questions about the neighbors. You probably know more gossip than is good for you at your age anyway.”

            The younger girl blushed as she remembered her sister’s words. Phyllis stepped forward into the crush, determined to be agreeable. Maybe Jo was right about her prospects—she received two offers for the first dance as soon as she arrived in Mama’s wake.

Click here if she danced with that ancient (in his forties, at least!) Mr. Andrews.

Click here if she danced with her boring second cousin Henry, who really looked like he should have stayed home nursing a cold.

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