eyes sent cold chills up and down Gerald's spine. Surely the pretty face which looked back at him from the glassy depths of the mirror could not be his own!

After assisting Gerald to rise, the maids pressed imaginary wrinkles from his skirts with their caressing fingers, then helped him back to his bed. A sweetly frilled and smocked organdy frock was held out for his horrified inspection, then put over his head and tugged down into place. The clinging bodice showed off the severity of his corsetting to advantage, and the cups of the corset, filled with pushed-up flesh, actually made a small bosom appear.

The skirt flowed out prettily over the boy's petticoats, and the maids placed a wide pink taffeta sash around his nipped waist, the ends tied in a huge bow at the back, not unlike an old-fashioned bustle.

While Suzette carefully dusted his arms with scented powder, then slowly kneaded a pair of gleaming white glacé gloves over his hands and arms, Camille fitted a beautifully coiffed hairpiece to his head and tied a large pink taffeta hairbow to it. As a final touch, dangling gold eardrops were fastened to his lobes, jingling gold bracelets were fitted over his wrists, and a gold necklace was placed at his neck.

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"Isn't she I mean, he just too sweet for words?" Camille inquired.

"Oh, please, don't say such mean and horrid things about me!" Gerald pleaded. "All you

"Silly!" Suzette admonished, need do is glance into the mirror, Master Gerald." Her voice dripped sarcasm,

"I hate you! I hate you!" Gerald exclaimed, stamping his foot for emphasis and creating a delightful swishing of silken petticoats.

Josie, his aunt's personal maid, chose that very moment to enter the room.

"Was our little girl troublesome?" she inquired, her face stern.

"A little," Camille replied, "until we had him properly laced."

Josie turned to Gerald, saying, "Come, Master Gerald, your aunt is awaiting you in the drawing room. She would be most upset if you were late for tea, you know!"

With that, she gathered Gerald's faultlessly gloved hand in hers and propelled him mincingly out of the rooms, his petticoats swishing excitedly.

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