– Exactly, my dear cousin," he smiled, and, taking her gloved hand, kissed it gently, causing Vivian's neck and cheeks to blush against her will.

"What impudence! Only just arrived, and already she's flirting like a skilful minx… And with whom? With my son! And Anthony himself? He keeps his eyes on her! – Lady Cranford thought angrily as she watched the young people smiling at each other. – This must stop!"

– "Vivian, let me introduce you to my youngest son Anthony," she said to her niece in a still but simply icy tone, this time not bothering to hide her true feelings behind an insincere 'darling'.

"Junior! What a pity… But the eldest must be coming to see his mother, even if he doesn't live with her," ran through Vivian's mind, and her sympathy for her young cousin immediately diminished.

– My eldest son Richard lives in a separate house. He and his wife have recently purchased an estate in the north, but they visit us quite often. Richard knows that I miss my grandchildren terribly," Lady Cranford said, as if she had read her mind, and deliberately mentioned that her eldest son was married, had children, and lived far from London.

– Oh, I shall be delighted to meet him and my little nieces and nephews! – Vivian exclaimed, folding her arms on her breast in a touching gesture, but the news that her cousin the Earl was married upset her feelings.

– My brother has been hunted to the very heart of the matter. But now he is married to a charming young woman, and is the father of a mischievous boy and two rosy-cheeked daughters," Anthony explained, admiring her beautiful face. He could have stood like that all day long, forgetting about food and water and just looking at his angelic green-eyed cousin. But when he caught himself at this thought, the young man was horrified and hastened to dismiss the obsession that had seized him: well aware of his position as the youngest son, he knew that the only way he could gain wealth was to marry one of the heiresses of a good fortune, or a girl with a rich dowry. In return, he could offer himself, his respect and his care. And after all, he was not some petty nobleman, but the son of an earl, which gave him an advantage over many potential suitors.

– They must be real angels," Vivian smiled at her cousin.

"I bet they'd be hunting him! After all, he is the owner of such a vast fortune!" – she thought. But she did not dare to say this phrase aloud, for she was afraid of offending the feelings of her aunt. And what would those pompous Cranfords think of her?

– They are angels," confirmed her aunt. – But now back to your luggage. Anthony, have the footmen take your cousin's bags up to her room…" But when she looked at the carriage in which Vivian had arrived, and saw the single suitcase tied to the roof, she asked, with difficulty suppressing the mockery in her voice: – Is that all your luggage, dear?

– Yes, auntie. I did not wish to carry many things with me: I shall order dresses after the latest London fashion, and purchase everything worthy of being worn by a true London fashionista. – Vivian understood perfectly well her aunt's allusion to her poverty, but again hid her pain behind a smile.

And what could she say? Having struggled to raise the money for the journey to London, London tailors and fashionable shops, she had arrived at Greenhall, at her rich aunt's house, like a beggar, like a beggar. Vivian knew she should have been grateful that she had been allowed to come and even taken into her care. She would live in this huge, beautiful house, walk on those long great balconies, and eat with the Cranfords in their what must have been a large sumptuous dining room. Her aunt had promised her mother to take Vivian out into the world and give a reception in her honour (that was what Beatrice Cranford had written to her dying sister), which would probably help Vivian to make a good party.

After all, the only purpose for which the penniless niece came to London and was prepared to endure the ridicule and coldness of her relatives was to find and marry a rich groom.

– Well, then you should go shopping, and as soon as possible," Lady Cranford replied, but she was not unmindful of the thought that her niece was counting on her aunt's generosity, which was so unfortunate: to tolerate this insolent woman in her house? Yes, in memory of her sister. But to renew her wardrobe, and at London prices? No, that's not going to happen! – But I must warn you that London prices are very different from what you are used to in your little town. Be very careful how you spend your money," she added, to let her niece know that she would have to pay for the cost of her wardrobe.

– Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I will," said Vivian, with another sweet smile, but with anger in her heart. It irritated her to the core that her aunt considered her a sponger and a beggar (which was hard not to notice). She had no intention of begging her aunt for money for new dresses! Vivian had her own means! Did her "good aunt" really think that pride would allow her, Vivian, to come empty-handed?

– You can go shopping with Jane," Lady Cranford told her with satisfaction when she heard Vivian's reply. – Jane is nineteen, like you. She will be your personal maid.

Jane made a hasty curtsy and smiled a broad, sincere smile at Vivian.

– It will be a pleasure to serve you, miss! – she exclaimed quietly, and her face shone like a new cent.

Vivian smiled back at her.

– It's a pleasure to meet you, Jane. I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time together! – Vivian said in a friendly tone to her maid.

The maid could not find words to reply and only curtsied again.

– Jane, show Miss Cowell to her chambers. Anthony, take care of her luggage. Luncheon will be served in an hour on the South Balcony," she ordered in a commanding tone, the mistress of Greenhall (which her eldest son Richard was to inherit on her death). – But be on time, Vivian. I don't tolerate tardiness.

Jane and Vivian went to the latter's chambers, and Anthony was about to go into the house and give orders for his cousin's luggage when his mother's quiet but imperious voice stopped him halfway:

– Don't you dare even think about her, my son.

Anthony turned round to his mother, gave her a sarcastic smile and said:

– Mother, I am well aware of my position.

She grinned contentedly.

Anthony continued his way.

Lady Cranford hurried to her study and locked the door to reread her late sister's last letter once more. She wished she could feel pity for her niece, but, against her will, she felt only dislike for her.

– Here's your room, miss! I washed it to a shine this morning. Alas, the carpet isn't dishevelled… You've come so suddenly, miss… But I'll do it to-morrow! – Jane chirped as she led Vivian to the tall, wide white doors.

– Don't trouble yourself, Jane. I shall only sleep in these chambers. I didn't come all the way from Casterbridge to spend my time in my own rooms," Vivian reassured her: Jane was infinitely friendly, and it seemed to her that they might be friends. Vivian had left all her friends behind her in her native town, and in London she knew only her aunt and her cousin. And she longed for a kind soul to lean on and gossip with!

Jane, of course, was a maid of no birth, and Vivian was the daughter of a small nobleman. But Vivian knew that there were no ranks in friendship, only feelings. The girls were the same age, the same height, and both liked to watch people and then giggle at one person or another for no reason at all. Young, fun-loving heads.

– Oh miss, I'm sure you won't be bored! The season will soon begin! – Jane said. – Our ma'am gives such sumptuous receptions! So many guests!