I gazed upon her standing at the last step high above the ballroom.  I had seen her in passing many times before, and always at a distance.  I was not the only man who noticed her:  eyes wandered and heads lingered in their spin as gentlemen danced with their partners on the floor below.  Her leg peeked out from the seam along the side of her dress; it was not on display for all the world to see, just for men to notice if they so desired.  She had a glass of Champaign in her left hand, and leaned gently onto the railing beside her with her right.  She would take a sip every now and then, letting her dark shining hair bounce upon her shoulders as she casually observed the dance beneath her feet.  Her long diamond earrings brought out her slender neck, and glinted with the chandelier’s light with every sway they made.  As she set down her glass, a hint of lipstick lingered faintly on the rim.  She could buy a shade of higher quality, but Isabella preferred to leave her mark. 

            She descended the staircase as the tempo of the music drew down to a close.  Chatter filled the hall as the sea of dancers thanked their partners, parting the way before her as they exited the stage.  Isabella continued her prance in my direction, but could not have noticed me.  I turned away to see what other ladies might entertain me in the next sonata.  No matter who I looked at, the spark of every smile was dashed by hopeless disappointment as she quickly turned away.  I glanced back towards Isabella out the corner of my eye.  She walked confidently toward a gentleman, who turned to greet her advance.  Her next conquest was determined; her quarry in her sights.  Isabella blazed right past him before he could utter his hello.  There was no one between us as she crossed the ballroom floor to where I stood.  There was no wall to hinder her advance, no shield to protect my hastened beating heart.  Isabella slowed as she neared the floor before me, her glistening eyes staring directly into mine.  She had an enchanting gaze about her, as if she knew something about me that I was not aware.  I stood there in front of her, unable to surrender.  I never stood a chance.  The war was over:  she had won.

            I put my arm around her waist and raised her hand embraced in mine.  The music started, and the world spun wildly around me with every step we took.   She had danced with others several times before, but this night she was mine.  Isabella held me close and gripped me tightly, her pupils locked deeply into mine.  Could this all be true; is it just a fairy tale?  Would midnight come and go, leaving me only with a crystal shoe?  I heard a clanging in the distance.  Again and again the tower’s bell rung.  The clock struck twelve, and the dance continued on.