Wingless Bird - стр. 28
But Lady Cranford did not let herself be deceived: her intuition told her that Vivian had said these beautiful words only under Anthony's pressure. Still, she was pleased with this beautiful flattery, and hoped she could build up a relationship of trust with her niece. Besides, the Countess had always dreamed of a daughter, but the Lord had given her two sons, whom she loved more than herself.
– My dear Vivian, you have given me a good idea," she said.
Vivian smiled incomprehensibly.
– A masquerade. We will definitely have a masquerade," the lady of the house explained.
The news pleased both her niece and her son: Vivian had never been to such a party before, and Anthony was pleased that the masquerade would relieve his boredom for one evening. After all, now that young Cranford had made up his mind not to attend the Den, and to guard his reputation carefully, he had not so much amusement to offer.
– Oh, auntie, I never dreamed of this! – gasped Vivian, and this time her surprise was genuine. – But when shall we expect the event?
– Perhaps in the autumn. I think September will be quite warm," replied the Countess.
– May I ask you one perhaps awkward question? – her niece suddenly asked.
Lady Cranford squinted her eyes slightly, but nodded gracefully.
– Will you send an invitation to the masquerade to the de Croix family?
– Of course, my dear, otherwise it would be bad manners. But how do you know of the de Croix family? – The niece's question took Lady Cranford by surprise: the girl had only recently arrived in the city, and already knew about the family of the first beauty of London!
– Yesterday, in one of the shops, I noticed that a dark-haired, beautiful girl was following me, and I asked Jane if she knew her," Viviane explained calmly, but not wanting to tell the whole truth, she added: – 'Do you think, auntie, that Mademoiselle de Croix could be my friend?
Anthony cast an interested glance at her cousin: would she wish to be the friend of one who was evidently not at all pleased at Vivian's appearance in London? The naive, good-hearted nymph! How could she not break her soft heart against the callousness and coldness of the French beauty!
– But, Viviane, why do you desire such a friend as Mademoiselle de Croix? – She is beautiful, but the only thing she wants is a favourable marriage.
– My dear cousin, you make it sound like a reproach," Vivian said softly. – I wish the same thing.
– I don't think you're trying to catch the wrong bird, dear cousin," Anthony retorted. – It is common knowledge in London that Mademoiselle de Croix wishes to marry the Duke of Nightingale, and flirts shamelessly with him every time she meets him.
– Are you comparing this girl to a bird? – his cousin replied with a laugh.
– Do you find such a comparison unworthy? – he grinned. – Girls like her are birds, but they are wingless. They cannot fly. Their destiny is to stay where they were born and walk on the ground.
– In your opinion, cousin, am I a wingless bird? – Vivian grinned coldly: What a cheeky fellow! He thinks that anyone who was not lucky enough to be born into a family of wealthy aristocrats has no moral right to dreams and aspirations!
Mademoiselle de Croix's motives and reputation were indifferent to Miss Cowell, but she was deeply offended: Anthony had unknowingly wounded her by openly saying that "wingless birds" like her could never escape their poverty, especially through marriage. "No self-respecting aristocrat of the Duke of Nightingale's rank would marry you, Vivian. Abandon your hopes and dreams: you are nothing," was how an angry Vivian interpreted her cousin's words. But she tried to keep calm, for she knew that emotion would betray her and give the Cranfords her plans, which they must never know.