She walked the length of Park Lane, along Mount Street to Berkeley Square. It was early enough in the day to go into Bond Street, and she walked into some of the shops therein without any consciousness of her actions, simply as the day was fine and their doors were open. She continued down into Piccadilly and along the broad street, noting that there were buildings in progress everywhere. Just before Piccadilly, Georgiana noticed the Burlington Arcade. As it was necessary to occupy some hours until she could be sure that the Colonel’s visit would be concluded, and he and his lady gone, she decided to bend her steps thither as the Arcade was sure to be extremely busy and, hence, would prevent her being seen by anyone. Three arches led to a single walkway lined with shops, displaying jewellery, beautiful writing papers, perfumes, watches, porcelains, silver, and other lovely things. Georgiana thought that, in truth, Paris had nothing more than did her own London.

Standing to attention outside the establishments were Lord Cavendish’s Beadles, guarding the length of the building, ensuring that the atmosphere of calm and elegance was not disturbed. Georgiana wandered slowly up the walkway, seeing everything and nothing, and occasionally stepping inside one of the shops just to be doing something. She had visited the Arcade with no intention of buying anything, but upon seeing a pretty shawl that she thought Elizabeth would like, she entered the shop, and engaged herself for some time in the comforting occupation of purchasing a pretty gift for her sister, especially having just quitted her with such unjustifiable incivility. Having done this, she was entirely at a loss as to how to pass the morning before going home, so she decided to take a dish of tea, and, afterwards, look to find some present for Jane.