As the Cranfords and Vivian settled themselves in the soft seats of the carriage, the Countess of Cranford shouted to the coachman: "Pull on!" and the swift horses dragged the carriage to where Miss Cowell's heart was longing to go – to the ball where her fate might be decided.

The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough's mansion was only thirty minutes' drive from Greenhall, but as other guests were travelling there, the Cranford carriage moved slowly, which caused the Countess to press her lips together disapprovingly, for she did not like to be late. Still, they arrived at Marlborough Mansion late, and then waited a quarter of an hour before it was their turn to arrive at the front door and leave the carriage.

The carriage stopped at a low, broad stone staircase, and suddenly Vivian was overcome with excitement, but she was able to control her emotions. Anthony left the carriage first and helped the ladies down.

– Go home, Thomas, but be here at twelve o'clock," Lady Cranford ordered the coachman.

– If you say so, ma'am!" he said.

– Now, my children, I expect you to do your best. And don't overdo the flirting, for you don't want to be known as frivolous and fickle, do you? – Lady Cranford addressed her son and niece, but seeing the undisguised admiration on the girl's face, she said to her affectionately: – 'I suppose, my dear, you have never been in such splendid houses before?

– Never! – she whispered feelingly, looking at the Marlborough mansion, which looked more like a royal palace.

– This is Greathall," Anthony said quietly, chuckling at her almost childish admiration for the old stone house.

But to Vivian, who had come from the provinces, this "old stone house" seemed like magic: its heavy splendour deeply astonished her unsophisticated mind, for compared with Greathall, her aunt's mansion seemed like an ordinary little mansion.

– A fitting name," Vivian smiled, but realising that she was behaving like a little girl at a Christmas fair, she shrugged her shoulders and said indifferently: – It's a beautiful house, and it must be at least two hundred years old, mustn't it?

– Two hundred and fifty-one," said the Countess: her niece's behaviour made her feel annoyed, but remembering that up to this moment the poor girl had been deprived of the contemplation of such mansions, she drew a deep breath to drive away the unflattering feeling. – But let us not delay: we have arrived late as it is… I should have remembered to leave early for such receptions. Anthony, lead the way!

The young man did not have to ask twice, and soon the guests from Greenhall were exchanging greetings with the Duchess of Marlborough, the mistress of the mansion. Dressed in a large embroidered green dress, the woman looked so young that Vivian at first mistook Lady Marlborough for one of her two daughters.

– My dear Elizabeth, it is so good to see you again! – Lady Cranford said with a smile, holding out her friend's palm, which she gladly took in her own. – Promise me you will never leave London for more than a week!

– Ah, my dear Beatrice, you know I wish the same thing! But as the wife of a counsellor at the royal court, I have no choice but to follow my husband wherever he is directed," said Lady Marlborough, with a sweet laugh, and glancing at Vivian, said amiably: – 'And this pretty girl must be your niece!

– She is, Your Ladyship. – Vivian blushed slightly at the compliment from the Duchess herself and made a deep curtsy. – May I express my gratitude to you for the honour of being invited to your reception. I am so glad to be here!