“One of these must be Mrs. William Astor’s house,” Marion mused. “I would have thought it would be grander. Caroline Astor is a formidable woman, I am told, who is the gatekeeper to New York society. The husband is not fond of socialising and prefers country pursuits.” She rolled her eyes. “A phrase that I have no doubt means exactly the same on this side of the Atlantic, if you take my meaning—or rather Shakespeare’s. Was it Shakespeare? No, it was Donne, of course. ‘The Good-Morrow.’ One of Alexander’s favourites of his poems.

“‘If ever any beauty I did see,

“‘Which I desired, and got, ’twas but a dream of thee.’

“Do you know it?”

“I don’t,” Margaret said, hurriedly reassessing her image of the mysterious Alexander. “Your husband sounds as if he was quite the romantic.”

Marion chuckled. “Oh, how he would laugh to hear himself so described. He wasn’t given to grand gestures, but what use are a bunch of roses or a diamond necklace when what one requires is a foot rub.”

“I wish I could have met him.”

“Ah, my dear, I am sure the pair of you would have got on swimmingly. However, if he were still with me, I would not be with you.” Marion blew her nose vigorously. “Now, that is more than enough about me. What were we talking about?”

“Mrs. William Astor.”

“She left her card, which is considered a great honour. If you are to immerse yourself in New York society, you will require her seal of approval.”

“I think I would rather be immersed in an ice-cold bath.”

“You have been out of society for some time now, have you not? No need to explain what sent you into hiding with Julia, though I am assuming it was a man, for it invariably is, with young women.”

“It was, but not in the way you assume.”

Marion patted her knee. “I’m not assuming anything. Let us take in the view and say no more on the subject.”

Margaret nodded gratefully, and as the hansom cab continued to make its way north, she did as Marion suggested. New York was expanding at a rate that made London’s growth seem positively sedentary. Only a few streets farther on from the Astor’s house, the elegant façade of the avenue began to alter. There were buildings in various states of construction everywhere. Materials were stacked beside the foundations of the nascent mansions: brick and marble, slate, chimney stacks, timbers and stone, window frames and doors. Despite the freezing weather, construction seemed to be continuing apace.