Vivian walked gracefully to the table, and the footman at the window immediately rushed to pull out a chair for her.
– Thank you," she smiled at the servant, and then turned to her aunt: "I slept like a baby! I'm glad you like my outfit, dear aunt. It was Jane who helped me to choose it.
– How kind of her. – Lady Cranford cast an indifferent glance at Jane, who remained standing in the doorway, awaiting her mistress's new orders. – 'Jane, you will be at Miss Cowell's complete disposal tonight. Take my carriage and go shopping.
– Oh, Auntie, you are so kind. I was about to ask you to let Jane come with me; she knows London fashions better than I do, and would be a valuable counsellor," said Vivian, a little surprised that her aunt had offered her the carriage.
'But should I be surprised? – I'm her niece, after all, and I bet she doesn't want to spoil her reputation. – I'm her niece, after all, and I'll bet she doesn't want to spoil her reputation, for it won't be long before everyone knows I'm in her care."
Vivian was not mistaken: Lady Cranford could not allow her niece to be seen walking about London. What would her friends and other members of the city's upper classes think? Reputation was the mistress of Greenhall's concern, not her niece's comfort. Besides, Lady Cranford had sworn to herself to do everything she could to find Vivian a spouse as soon as possible, and for this purpose it was necessary to surround the girl with care and gently but firmly push her to the path desired by her "dear aunt". However, the rich aunt was not willing to spend a cent on her late sister's poor daughter.
– That's fine. I hope you have a good time. My advice is to be wary of bright colours. They're a sign of bad taste. Go for subdued colours and styles. No feathers – they look hideous and cheap. And don't forget to wear a hat, Vivian. In London all ladies must wear hats," Lady Cranford advised, and picked up the silver cutlery. – But breakfast awaits.
Vivian readily followed her aunt's example, for she was very hungry: she had missed dinner on purpose last night, and her stomach was inexorably hungry.
– But mustn't we wait till Mr. Cranford comes? – she asked, surprised that her strict aunt had taken breakfast without her son.
– If he is not here at seven o'clock, he is not at Greenhall," Lady Cranford said grimly; she knew very well the reason why her son had not been at breakfast, and she was not happy about his latest night out. But the Countess did not think it necessary to share this with her niece, for, in the opinion of the mistress of Greenhall, everything that concerned her sons was of no concern to Vivian.