midnight
Her long flowing curls were intertwined with a few natural flowers , her only attempt at ornament of any kind , and , indeed , ornaments would have been sadly out of place on ` Lena ' . It was between nine and ten when the party from Maple Grove reached Woodlawn , where they found a large company assembled , some in the drawing-rooms below , and others still lingering at the toilet in the dressing chamber . Among these last were Nellie Douglass and Mabel Ross , the latter of whom Mrs. Livingstone was perfectly delighted to see , overwhelming her with caresses , and urging her to stop for awhile at Maple Grove . `` I shall be so glad to have you with us , and the country air will do you so much good , that you must not refuse , '' said she , pinching Mabel 's sallow cheek , and stroking her straight , glossy hair , which , in contrast with the bandeau of pearls that she wore , looked dark as midnight . Spite of her wealth , Mabel had long been accustomed to neglect , and there was something so kind in Mrs. Livingstone 's _ motherly _ demeanor , that the heart of the young orphan warmed toward her , and tears glittered in her large , mournful eyes , the only beauty , save her hair , of which she could boast . Very few had ever cared for poor Mabel , who , though warm-hearted and affectionate , required to be known in order to be appreciated , and as she was naturally shy and retiring , there were not many who felt at all acquainted with her . Left alone in the world at a very early age , she had never known what it was to possess a real , disinterested friend , unless we except Nellie Douglass , who , while there was nothing congenial between them , had always tried to treat Mabel as she herself would wish to be treated , were she in like circumstances .