– But let us not grieve our hearts before our time," said Anthony, suddenly, unexpectedly to himself. – And if I have offended you, unintentionally, without wishing to, I apologise sincerely. I did not know that my opinion of Mademoiselle de Croix would so distress you… You must have become friends by now?

'Does poor naive Anthony think I resent him because of that French girl?' – thought the girl ironically, and barely managed to suppress a mocking smile. – No, silly boy, you insulted me when you compared me to a wingless bird! I have wings, and some wings!"

– Alas, I have not seen her since that meeting in the shop, but soon I shall see her at the ball, and I hope we shall be friends. But let's put our grudges behind us, dear cousin: there's dancing and merriment tonight! – replied Vivian.

– Be careful: this girl is not as simple as she seems. And if you don't think of her as one of your competitors, she obviously thinks of you as her worst enemy," Anthony warned, not understanding her cousin's eagerness to make friends with the one he had openly warned her against.

– I appreciate your concern, but I am full of confidence that Mademoiselle de Croix is not at all as wicked and dangerous as you claim," Miss Cowell smiled at this.

"I shall hold the French beauty in my hands. So long as she thinks of me as a friend – my future is safe, and I can easily snatch any suitor from under her nose!" – she added snidely, to herself.

Slightly irritated by his cousin's obstinacy, Anthony remained silent as he decided to leave the girl with her own rosy hopes and mistaken beliefs. If Vivian wished to tame the ravenous panther, with her sensitivity and soft heart, she would be deeply wounded by the sharp claws and long teeth of this greedy beast.

– How good it is that both of you are ready to leave. – Suddenly the voice of the Mistress of Greenhall sounded from the stairs, and soon she was standing between her son and niece. She looked at Vivian, so beautiful and modest, and smiled approvingly: "Lovely outfit, Vivian. And your hair, too.

– It's all Jane's doing," she replied, hoping that her aunt would give her friend a raise, or at least a word of thanks, which would certainly please her. – Jane prompted me with the choice of dress and…

– Lady Marlborough is waiting for us," the Countess interrupted her, as if she had not heard her niece, and taking her son's elbow, she said to Vivian: "Don't drink too much punch at the ball, and eat like a sparrow at dinner: men don't like a girl with a good appetite.

Anthony laughed softly.

– 'Alas, that is so! – he said cheerfully.

– But isn't it our womanly duty to lead them out of this delusion? – Vivian wondered.

– 'My dear, when you are married you may surprise your husband with the truth, but till then remember that you are a bird, and need only a few grains to satiate you,' her aunt answered her in a decided tone.

"It seems that this evening will be not only exciting and wonderful, but also hungry," thought the girl gloomily, but a moment later, when the trio descended into the courtyard, where a lacquered black carriage, a pair of slender black horses, and an important-looking coachman were waiting for them, Vivian's soul was filled with delight. – Had it really come to pass? My dresses had been found, and I was going to Lady Marlborough's ball! What's in store for me there? The Stevenses, the Brodys, the Cravens… I have always enjoyed their invitations and their balls, but they are but petty noblemen, unknown to any but the people of our little town. Ah, if they could see me now, they would be so proud of me! I shall be sure to write to them after the ball! All the details! They'll be delighted!"