"Ah, my naive cousin! I don't think you know the man you call your best friend that well! You are convinced that you know his soul, and that it is beautiful, but how wrong you are! And how wrong I was when I thought I could keep him under my thumb! – ran through the girl's mind, and the desire to read this letter full of joy was gone. – No, no, I can't read it! And Jeremy must not see these lines either! If he found out about Richard that way, he would kill me… kill me with his jealousy."

– Put some wood in the fire, Jane," said Vivian quietly, crumpling up the letter.

– As you say, Miss Vivian," she said, but was surprised at the sudden change in her friend's mood. She did not ask any more questions, but simply lighted the fire in the fireplace.

When the flames were dancing their merry dance again, Vivian went to the fireplace and threw a crumpled ball of paper into its hot heart.

– Miss Vivian? Is something wrong? – A worried Jane asked quietly. – Has your cousin written you something hurtful?

– No, Jane… He's happy for me. But my husband mustn't find out about Richard. He will. Later. Not today. – Vivian sighed heavily and hid her face in her hands. – 'But we must go… Jeremy is expecting me for breakfast… .

– We have to get you cleaned up first! – Jane said firmly. – I promise I'll have you dressed and combed in half an hour. You know I can work miracles, don't you?

– I know, darling, I know. – Vivian took her palms away from her face and looked at her maid friend and smiled broadly.

How good it was to have Jane by her side again! Fortunately, Jeremy had not refused his wife's request to take this girl into the house and even pay her double what Lady Cranford paid her.

– How is your mother? I hope she is better? – Vivian asked as the girls walked slowly down the corridor, now brightly lit by the sunlight.

– Much better! Thank you for that! – Shining like a polished coin, Jane replied. – What about your jewellery? Have you bought them back yet?

– My goodness, Jane, how good of you to remind me of that! I had forgotten all about them! – Vivian exclaimed with the palm pressed to her heart. – I shall go for them today!

Half an hour later, as faithful Jane had promised, Vivian was dressed in one of her beautiful morning dresses, and her hair was arranged in a high style. There was no trace left of the girl who barefooted, with her hair loose, and wearing a dressing-gown over her night-dress, had been hiding from her own husband in the darkness of the library. Mrs. Wington, who had taken her place at the table in the bright, large dining-room, looked like a goddess descending from the heights of Olympus to the world of mortals. And Mr. Wington, her husband, dressed in an elegant morning suit, kept his eyes on her, while she smiled at him and kept up their uncomplicated and intimate conversation in an affectionate tone.

– We have been sent invitations again. Three to be exact," said the landlord. – But I have no desire to attend another ball. I'm tired of them.

– Very well, my dear. Let's stay at home and make the most of our time," said his wife, who had also had enough of balls and soirees.

– What post have you received, my love? – Jeremy asked, kissing his wife's white, graceful neck with a possessive look.

– A letter from Anthony. He congratulated us on our marriage and wished us well," Vivian replied briefly, carefully spreading a tiny amount of butter on half a small bun.

– Did he write when he would return to London?

– 'I can't remember, my dear. His niece is still bedridden.