Northanger Abbey and Balls? WTF?
I just heard this line in a podcast I’m listening to. It’s an unabridged reading of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. I had to rewind and listen to it several times to be sure of what I was hearing:
Such was Catherine Morland at ten. At fifteen, appearances were mending; she began to curl her hair and long for balls; her complexion improved, her features were softened by plumpness and colour, her eyes gained more animation, and her figure more consequence. –Northanger Abbey, Chapter 1
“Long for balls”? My mind is right in the gutter. Could somebody please explain to me what this means? I am less familiar with Victorian terminology than I should be… Maybe a ball like a dance? A big fancy costume ball? God I hope so.
WTF was wrong with those Victorians.
WTF is wrong with me.
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