Blue

You look at yourself in the mirror, admiring your new gown. It is made of silk, in a soft blue shade that allows your thick golden hair to be shown to best advantage, and edged with ribbon and lace that perfectly set off your blue eyes. Your mother has loaned you her wedding jewels, and they wink around your throat and in your hair.

You feel like you have suddenly changed into someone completely different. Magdalena claps her hands in delight. "Come on, Ana! I can hear guests arriving! It's time to go downstairs!"

You stand with your mother and father, receiving guests and graciously accepting their best wishes. The guests are mostly families from nearby estates, plus a few friends of your parents' from farther away. Everyone looks most splendid, dressed in formal coats and beautiful gowns in a rainbow of colors. Everyone has a smile for you. Some of the adults look at you appraisingly–only to be expected as you are now considered to be of marriageable age–and many of the youngsters of your age try to flirt. You flirt back…but only a little, since your mother and Aunt Leonor are standing nearby.