Says Hould-Ward: "The thought here was to see the beautiful Lily [at a ball in 1895] reflecting the idea of the freeness of nature and her being as a young person in love."
"Lily’s spirit costume is to help us see Lily as an essence of the woman—able to float in and out of the thoughts of those who come to the Manor."
"Dickon’s costume reflects the being of nature and Dickon’s natural surroundings, with freedom to move quickly and blend into all environments of nature—which makes him irresistible to Mary."
"Martha is the country girl who has been shoehorned into a manor house as a servant. She reflects being in 'The Manor' without having given into being part of that society and mood."
"Ayah is Mary’s memory of care and love in India. She reflects the major warmth and motherly feeling Mary knew."
"Rose, Mary’s mother, loved the life and the idea of the beauty of herself instead of having space to be a mother for Mary, which I tried to convey through color usage here."
"Cholera is the demon sprit who whisks away the lives of all Mary has known in India. She has a beauty and enticement at the same time she is incredibly dangerous."
