– Yes, such a fiancé is missing… We must find our girls now, and order them to try to become Mrs. Wington's friends… Here they are! Come along, my dear, let's not delay! I'm sure everyone wants to be friends with the newly married wife of such a rich man!

– I hope she'll give our daughters a few tips on how to catch a rich husband in her arms… She's been doing just fine!

– But Mr. Wington married her so hastily, and his father is still in mourning," said one of the gossips. – There's a rumour that she seduced him.

– And I heard that he seduced her… But look at the two of them: they have eyes for each other! I think they're in hot love! – objected the gossipy friend.

– Oh, my dear, love comes and goes… Let's see if he regrets this marriage! He could have married anyone, even an earl's daughter, but for some reason he chose Miss Cowell… No, no, something made them marry, and I am more than sure that the maiden made him compromise himself, and he, as a man of honour, hastened to correct his fatal mistake. Ah, that cunning fox! Shining like gold in the sun!

And the two friends went towards their daughters, who in their turn were gossiping about the same thing as their mothers.

How true were the words of one of these gossipers! Vivian, who was envied, called a "witch" and regarded as a "tenacious maiden," was becoming more popular by the minute, even though most of the guests had not changed their opinion of her. But so beautiful, graceful, and above all, rich, young Miss Wington could not help but become a new star, so suddenly shone in the sky of London. All those who had been strangers to Miss Cowell were now drawn to the brilliant, high-society beauty of Mrs. Wington, and desired her friendship or even a pinch of her attention. If the girls and their mothers hoped to receive Vivian's tutelage, the single and even married men could henceforth admire this fiery swan and sigh furtively when she passed by or bestowed upon them her incomparable smile. After all, it was much easier to admire a young, rich, married beauty than a poor, looking for a spouse as a homeless woman.

When at last the hosts of the ball were able to move away from the doors, for all who had answered the invitations had already appeared, Vivian made her way to Charlotte.

Miss Salton, dressed in one of her new dresses, which favourably emphasised her high firm breasts and transformed her full figure into a rather graceful one, was not propped up against a wall this evening, nor did she stand alone at the window, nor was her gaze full of sadness. On the contrary: the girl was invited to every dance, and her eyes sparkled with merriment, for the other guests, seeing her in a new outfit, with a new hairdo and new shoes, realised that Miss Salton, it turned out, was quite nice, and some even said, beautiful. Danish fashion was not to Charlotte's liking, but London fashion, and the advice of her dear friend Vivian, made the girl an attractive bride, though she kept silent about the thirty thousands of dowry. Several young gentlemen hovered round her and joked desperately, eager to hear her ringing laughter. They told her funny stories, shared the latest gossip, and looked at the girl with interest. What attracted them to her? Her father's wealth? Her wide, genuine smile? Her proud posture and majestic figure? Charlotte asked herself these questions, but did not try to find out the truth, for she was in no hurry to marry, and consequently all these gentlemen were no success to her, though she laughed at their jokes and danced with them. Charlotte had made up her mind to live as she pleased and was no longer tormented by the fact that her person was not interesting to others, so such attention from rather handsome and stately men did not make her blush and flirt desperately with them. She just danced, laughed and was happy.