It is obvious that everyone has come here to talk.” “It would be far more sensible,” she said to Lord Francis, “for everyone to leave their carriages and horses at the gate and merely stroll here. No one could possibly be out for the sole purpose of a drive or a ride. Oh, my!” Such a crush of vehicles and riders and walkers it had been impossible to imagine though she had been told about it. “I believe it appears gauche,” Cora said. “But why young ladies feel obliged to squash the natural exuberance of their spirits in order to appear ton nish escapes my understanding at the present moment.” “Just so,” Lord Francis said, looking at her. I shall behave myself when we are among the crowds, I promise.” She opened her parasol since she had just become aware that they were very close to being among the crowds, and gave it a vigorous twirl above her head. “I am not to enthuse, am I? Lady Elizabeth has constantly to remind me of that. “This,” she said later, as they were turning into the park, “is surely the most exciting afternoon of my life.” And then she turned her head in order to smile apologetically at him. Two almost identical chestnuts were harnessed to it. How fortunate, she thought, that she had dressed to match it. It was a splendid confection of a vehicle, all show and lack of practicality. But the crowning glory was the high-perch phaeton into which he lifted her when he had escorted her outside. His appearance, elegant and gorgeous, quite reassured her and made her joy complete.

The plumed bonnet