Wingless Bird - стр. 35
– But you…
– No, no, Jane, I cannot waste my time in the vain pursuit of an unattainable bridegroom. But do not think that I do not detract from my charm, and I know very well that sometimes beauty wins even the hearts of kings and emperors.
– But then who have you got in mind? – Jane asked.
– I have no one in mind for my future spouse, for the only man I know who is a member of high society is my cousin. I had planned to find my victim at the ball tonight…" Vivian sighed, and a painful smile appeared on her lips, "but God must have other plans for me… I think he is punishing me for falling asleep during Sunday services.
The girls laughed quietly, but suddenly there was a loud knock at the door, and Lady Cranford entered Vivian's chamber uninvited. She was ready for her imminent departure: she was wearing a beautiful black silk dress, with long black gloves on her hands, her hair was elegantly coiffed and feathered, and she had a broad, happy smile on her lips.
– Your dresses are found, my dear! – she exclaimed.
Jane jumped up from the bed and made an awkward curtsy: oh, lest her mistress should think she thought she was her niece's friend!
But Lady Cranford did not even glance in her direction; she came quickly to her niece and, seizing her by the arms, almost forcibly seated her at the dressing-table.
– There is no time to lose- Oh, my dear, have you been crying? In vain: your eyes are puffy and your cheeks are red… You'll need powder.
Vivian had not expected such a sudden turn of events and was discouraged by her aunt's persistent and strange behaviour.
– Had the dresses been found? But where are they? – she asked the countess absent-mindedly.
– They will be brought in a few minutes," she replied, and began to take out the pins from her niece's high hair. – In the meantime, you take care of your hair: this one is no good....
– But, auntie, I won't have time…
– Don't forget: for your debut, wear a white dress and white gloves above the elbow…
– Auntie! There's so little time.
– You don't need much jewellery. But take that bird chain off your neck, it's too simple. You have more expensive jewellery, don't you? If not, I'll bring my own.
– Thank you, but I have more colourful jewellery in that box over there. – Vivian was confused: she had only fifty minutes to go to the ball! Didn't her aunt realise that in that time it was impossible to choose and put on a dress, shoes and gloves, to do her hair and powder her face? She will not go to the ball!
Lady Cranford opened her jewellery box, went through it in silence, and held out to her niece a short string of dazzling white pearl beads.
– Do you have earrings or clips like that? – she asked Vivian.
– 'Alas, auntie.
– Well, that will do. – The Countess went to the door. – 'I'll come and fetch you in forty minutes…'
"Forty? Not fifty?" – her poor niece was horrified.
– …Be ready: we must not be late. Here are your dresses! Remember: white dress and white gloves! – The Mistress of Greenhall left the chambers.
"What a lot of things she's bought! Where does she get all this money?" – Lady Cranford thought involuntarily, as she looked at the four footmen and three maids who, laden with many long covers, hurried into her niece's chamber.