The Bird has got wings - стр. 9
Mrs. Wington. Mistress of the huge Wington Hall, a mansion built of light-coloured stones, more like one of the royal palaces than the residence of persons who do not possess even the most trifling of titles. But who needs a title when all that London high society values is money? And the Wingtons had plenty of money. That's why that evening those who held titles, with smiles of envy at the new position of the former streetwalker and admiration for her beauty and majesty, came to this mansion to drink expensive wines and champagne, eat expensive food and desserts, dance and gossip.
– And what a gossipy girl that Miss Cowell is! – standing in a corner of the ballroom, with a glass of champagne in her hand, whispered in her friend's ear one of the mothers of this year's young debutantes. – They say her aunt has not given a cent of dowry for her! Lady Cranford had left London in such a hurry… was it not for that reason?
– Beatrice is a decent lady. I'm sure if she hadn't helped her niece with the dowry, Mr. Wington would never have married her. He cannot be so foolish! – replied the second lady, and, hiding her face behind her lace fan, glanced at the owners of the house, who were still standing at the door, talking to Lady Marlborough. – Look how beautiful Vivian is! Lily confessed to me that she was afraid to appear in the same hall as her… But, thank goodness, now this red-haired angel is married, and our girls just need to make her acquaintance!
– Yes, such a fiancé is missing… We must find our girls now, and order them to try to become Mrs. Wington's friends… Here they are! Come along, my dear, let's not delay! I'm sure everyone wants to be friends with the newly married wife of such a rich man!
– I hope she'll give our daughters a few tips on how to catch a rich husband in her arms… She's been doing just fine!
– But Mr. Wington married her so hastily, and his father is still in mourning," said one of the gossips. – There's a rumour that she seduced him.
– And I heard that he seduced her… But look at the two of them: they have eyes for each other! I think they're in hot love! – objected the gossipy friend.
– Oh, my dear, love comes and goes… Let's see if he regrets this marriage! He could have married anyone, even an earl's daughter, but for some reason he chose Miss Cowell… No, no, something made them marry, and I am more than sure that the maiden made him compromise himself, and he, as a man of honour, hastened to correct his fatal mistake. Ah, that cunning fox! Shining like gold in the sun!
And the two friends went towards their daughters, who in their turn were gossiping about the same thing as their mothers.
How true were the words of one of these gossipers! Vivian, who was envied, called a "witch" and regarded as a "tenacious maiden," was becoming more popular by the minute, even though most of the guests had not changed their opinion of her. But so beautiful, graceful, and above all, rich, young Miss Wington could not help but become a new star, so suddenly shone in the sky of London. All those who had been strangers to Miss Cowell were now drawn to the brilliant, high-society beauty of Mrs. Wington, and desired her friendship or even a pinch of her attention. If the girls and their mothers hoped to receive Vivian's tutelage, the single and even married men could henceforth admire this fiery swan and sigh furtively when she passed by or bestowed upon them her incomparable smile. After all, it was much easier to admire a young, rich, married beauty than a poor, looking for a spouse as a homeless woman.