Mr Newbold, having only managed to secure Miss Gaydon for a country dance, which was not conducive to exchanges of any personal nature, felt that his evening had been rather unsuccessful, but he had ascertained that Henrietta would be at the Sorleys’ the following evening, which was a soirée he would usually avoid, since Lady Sorley delighted in showing off the talents of the young ladies making their debut, and it normally bored him. Miss Felbridge was, he learned, due to play a piece upon the harp, but Miss Gaydon happily admitted that she was ‘very inferior’ upon the piano, did not like to sing alone, and had never set finger to a harp string in her life. He foresaw that this would therefore provide him with the opportunity to amuse her as she expected him to do, and also subtly introduce rather more wooing than he had previously attempted. He doubted that Miss Gaydon had as yet considered him as a suitor, and he acknowledged that Lord Henfield had a head start. On the other hand, all that Henfield had was a habitual relationship which was sliding into something more. He felt that his own abilities and experience would soon put him on a par at least, and from thence he could move to claim the lady’s hand. A small voice within wondered whether it was what he really wanted, if he could approach the situation in so cerebral a manner, but he dismissed it.

It was not difficult for him to obtain the required invitation, even at the last minute, since Lady Sorley was to be found in the park, in the comfort of her barouche, every afternoon at the promenading hour if the weather was fair. She took great pleasure in being one whom all ladies with musically adept daughters cultivated, if not showed fawning consideration. It was power, of a sort, and she loved it. To be able to add Mr Newbold’s name to those who would attend was an additional feather in her cap.

He therefore found himself enduring an evening of insipid trilling and melodious monotony with a forced look of interest, but in the excellent cause of advancing himself with Miss Gaydon. He was not pleased to see that Lady Vernham was in attendance, with Lord Henfield as escort, nor would he have been delighted to know that only the hope that he might see Miss Gaydon had persuaded him to accompany her. On the other hand, Martley and Netheravon were not present.

Lady Sorley, wishing to show off Mr Newbold as one would a prize, kept him at her elbow for the first three pieces, but then he was able to escape, and make his way to Lady Elstead and her charges. He bowed with grace.