"How convenient! Jane will be my eyes and ears!" – thought Vivian, and taking her friend's hand, asked in an affectionate tone:

– 'Dear Jane, may I ask you a favour?

– Of course, Miss Vivian! – Jane smiled broadly and squeezed her idol's hand tightly.

– When you hear gossip about my humble person, pass it on to me. And, however horrible the gossip may be, don't be afraid of offending my feelings or upsetting me. It's important to me to know what they say about me in high society," Vivian asked in a hushed tone.

– After your debut, I'm sure the gossip won't be long in coming. And I'll keep my ear to the ground. But be prepared to be slandered by jealous maidens and old maids!

– Oh, I have no doubts about that! But let's pay for these gloves and go and choose hats! – Miss Cowell smiled broadly and pulled Jane with her.

After quickly passing Mademoiselle de Croix, who was still staring at her rival, the girls left the shop and walked briskly towards the carriage waiting for them round the corner. They were so engrossed in discussing the beautiful Frenchwoman that they did not notice the bustle, the carriages or the people around them, and soon Vivian accidentally bumped into a passer-by walking in the opposite direction. The hat flew off the girl's head, revealing to the world the splendour of her fiery hair, which, in the sunlight, burned brighter than usual.

– Oh, I beg your pardon, sir! – Vivian exclaimed with remorse in her voice, glancing at the man whom her inattention had brought her into contact with.

– 'It is I who apologise to you, miss,' replied a handsome, tall, rather young man gallantly. He was dressed in a grey riding suit, and his feet were adorned with tall black boots.

"He's a good-looking man! And what beautiful hair he has: what a striking white colour!" – involuntarily thought Vivian, looking at the stranger, and when he smiled, the girl's cheeks suddenly lit up, and she hastened to look away from his handsome face.

The stranger bowed slightly and was ready to speak again to the beautiful woman who had so unexpectedly got in his way, but Vivian was terribly embarrassed by the situation, so she hurried to continue on her way. The man who had made her cheeks flush looked at her with admiration, and a slight smile curved his handsome, thin lips.

– Miss Vivian! There is no way…" Jane began enthusiastically.

– No, please, Jane! Be quiet!" Vivian interrupted her. – God, what a disgrace!

Jane was tempted to say something, but she obediently remained silent. She smiled mysteriously all the way, making her friend wonder what was the meaning of her smile.

Dinner at Greenhall passed in sepulchral silence.

Vivian was full of fresh emotions and impressions that she had received during that exciting day, and Anthony still felt unwell, but forced himself to appear at the dinner so as not to upset his mother. The landlady herself was busy thinking about her son's future and calculating the money she would have to spend on a dinner party in her niece's honour.

It was not until all three had eaten their dessert that Lady Cranford looked at her niece and asked in an indifferent tone:

– How was your day, my dear? I hope you had a good time?

– It has been a wonderful day, auntie," she answered in the same indifferent tone. – I did a lot of shopping and renewed my wardrobe. The new clothes will be made as soon as possible and will be delivered to Greenhall a few days before my debut.

– That's wonderful. I am delighted for you.

– Thank you, Auntie.

With that, the trio left the dining room and went to their rooms.

It was not until bedtime, when Jane had changed her friend into her nightdress and braided her hair, that Vivian learnt from her that the handsome stranger she had so awkwardly encountered in a crowded London street was none other than England's most desirable groom, the Duke of Nightingale.

– I wish it were a masquerade ball," Vivian sighed when, at an early breakfast, Lady Cranford handed her an official invitation from the Duchess of Marlborough herself to what was to be the debut of "my dear niece," as the mistress of Greenhall had written in a letter to the Duchess. – I would be a forest nymph and carry a little flute! And you, cousin? What would you dress up as?

Anthony immediately pictured Vivian in the garb of a forest nymph, namely a short green dress, with a brightly coloured floral wreath on her head and her long red hair loose, and the image captivated his mind. And then this nymph would sit on his lap and play a beautiful quiet melody on her flute. And then he would gently take the flute from the nymph Vivian, run his fingers through her luxurious hair and kiss her soft lips. Yes, they must be very soft, her lips....

– Anthony? – suddenly, as through a mist, he heard the voice of the one he had seen in his dreams. The young gentleman blinked, banishing the sweet picture from his imagination, and smiled. – Alas, my dear Vivian, I have no thoughts on the subject. But you would have my permission to order me to be what you please.

"What familiarity! Calling each other by their first names!" – frowned Lady Cranford, listening in amazement to the dialogue between son and niece. It was thanks to her that Vivian now held in her hands an elegant invitation from the Duchess of Marlborough, for it was in answer to a polite request from her old friend Lady Cranford.