Two Strands of Melody

The Sisters

Katherine stared stary-eyed at her reflection in the small vanity mirror as her sister played with her hair.

"Do you think we will find suitors tonight?" She quietly giggled as she played with a small diamond necklace.

"I certainly hope so," her sister replied with a laugh. "I didn't tie my corset extra tight for no reason." The two girls laughed as they continued to get dressed.

"Well, the party is for Papa's retirement, so whoever we find should already be in his good graces." Katherine laughed as she opened up her makeup case. "Brenda, could you please grab my coat?" she asked while she applied her lipstick. Brenda hummed as she grabbed the fur coat that hung over a small armchair.

There was a knock, and the door slowly opened to show a thin man dressed in a fine suit.

"You girls ready?" he asked in a tired, croaky voice.

"Coming Papa!" the sisters giggled as they made their way out of the room.

"You two look stunning" he smiled. The girls jokingly curtseyed as they headed to the front entrance of the house.

The ride was rather long as Katherine and Brenda stared out of the carriage's window. Katherine's face was in somewhat of a frown as she watched the glow of the streetlights fill the raindrops that raced down the cold glass.

"What a depressing night for a party," she mumbled. "Though I suppose the music and wine will help raise the spirits." She smiled with a sigh. The carriage slowed down as the lights of the Opera Populaire filled the darkness of their ride. Brenda, Katherine, and their father exited the carriage in relative silence, and they made their way into the crowded and loud building.

"My God, look at everyone." Katherine said as she instantly felt underdressed and tiny. She ran an insecure eye over her outfit and pulled her coat closer to her chest.

"You look beautiful." Brenda said with a smile. Their father gave her an affirmative nod before finding a group of his co-workers to talk to. Katherine looked around nervously as she and Brenda found a corner to stand in and observe everyone.

"Why do all the men look like bland breakfast cereal?" She said with an amused smile. "Look, He's a charmer," she pointed over to a pristine man who was chatting with a group of women. "He's a scoundrel" She said as she drew her attention to a man who was looking down his wife's bodes as she talked to him. "And he's a possible Mr. Rochester. You know, the whole 'wife in the attic' sort of thing." She pointed to a third man, who was pursuing a young woman whilst glancing around the room suspiciously. "It's always those three men. The only ones that have a personality and a life worth living with carry the threat of neighbourhood gossip." Katherine sighed as she clutched her side.

"You alright?" Brenda asked with concern.

"I need to get some air, before my corset breaks a rib." She sighed as she excused herself.

_______

It had been an hour since Katherine had left, and Brenda was getting slightly anxious about her whereabouts.

"Where did your sister run off to?" Her father croaked, making her jump slightly.

"I don't know, but I'm thinking I may need to go look for her." Brenda laughed as she looked around. "I doubt she's dancing." She smiled as se headed off to find Katherine.

Brenda walked down the dark, empty halls of the Populaire, softly calling out for her sister. She turned a corner, finding a shadow within the shadows. With a sigh of relief she grabbed it's shoulder and turned it around.