Wingless Bird

– You must get up so early every day, Miss Vivian," smiled Jane warmly. – Our ma'am gets up at five in the morning, and at seven sharp, she, her son and the guests sit down to breakfast. And another thing: every Sunday the Cranfords attend mass.

– Oh, no, not that! – She rarely went to church, and on Sundays she preferred to sleep before noon. – Does everyone in this house like to get up so early and is so terribly religious?

– Everyone goes to church. The servants get up at five in the morning, Miss Vivian. I get up at five, too. But poor Emily has to get up at four o'clock to prepare warm water for Ma'am's washing, dress Ma'am and bring her freshly brewed tea by five.

– Poor Emily! She must be off her feet by noon," said Miss Cowell, sympathising with the poor maid. – But I must hurry… How am I to remember all the rules of this house? Will you help me, Jane?

– Of course, Miss Vivian: that's what I'm here for! Wash your face, and then I'll find you a suitable dress for breakfast.

– I was going to wear that yellow one over there. – Vivian nodded carelessly at a chair on the back of which hung neatly a modestly cut but rather brightly coloured cotton dress.

– Lady Cranford doesn't like bright colours at breakfast," Jane said firmly. She went to the open suitcase lying by the table, and took out a pale green dress. – 'That's just right!

In response to her assistant, Vivian only shook her fiery mane and thought that there was no way she would be able to tidy up in just half an hour. But thanks to Jane, to whom Vivian was most grateful, the morning was saved, and at seven o'clock precisely Miss Cowell entered the small but beautiful and expensively furnished dining-room. Jane had even taken time to arrange her mistress's hair in a simple but elegant style.

– What a marvellous morning!" said Vivian, appearing in the Small Dining Room, accompanied by Jane, with feigned cheerfulness.

Lady Cranford was already seated at the large oval table, dressed in a modest black muslin gown. She gave her niece an appraising glance, and, satisfied that she had observed the etiquette of the house, smiled and replied:

– 'You are right, Vivian, it is a wonderful morning. What a lovely dress. And the colour is just right for a quiet breakfast. I hope you slept well last night?

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 di

– 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.

Lady Cranford had expected her niece to go on inquiring about Anthony, but to her great surprise Vivian shrugged her shoulders, ate her breakfast quickly, asked permission to leave the table, wished her aunt a good day, and left the dining-room.

– 'Albert, when Mr. Cranford arrives at home, tell him to come into my study immediately,' Lady Cranford ordered the footman standing at the window.

"And you, my son, I shall have a serious talk with you, both about Vivian and about your pernicious amusements," she thought, and went on with her meal alone, considering when and how she should give a reception in her niece's honour, and realising with displeasure that it would have to be well spent.

***

Anthony did not arrive home until midday: although he had ordered the coachman to pick him up at six in the morning, his physical condition after a long night of alcohol, prostitutes and card games prevented him from leaving the Den before eleven o'clock. The young gentleman's head was splitting and he could barely stand on his feet, but he was quite pleased with the time he had spent with his friends and Mrs.Bree's brothel staff. His expensive suit, ruined by yesterday's downpour, did not seem such a tragedy to him now, but he knew that his mother's disapproving gaze awaited him at Greenhall, and that knowledge made Anthony sad. However, he did not feel "guilty of the sin of drunke

Sitting in the carriage on the way home, Anthony could not escape the memory of the night before: in the red-haired girls of the brothel he saw Vivian. She was his obsession, and her image kept him awake.

"Am I in love with her? – thought young Cranford with genuine surprise. – But is it possible to fall in love with any one in so short a time? I only met her yesterday! No, I think it's her beauty that does that to my mind. She is the most beautiful woman in England and perhaps in the whole world. Vivian is my cousin. I should not think of her…and yet she does not leave my thoughts! Am I henceforth lost, or can I drive this unwelcome obsession away? Anthony, don't lose your head! You know that almost all your father's inheritance has gone to your elder brother, and it is your destiny to marry a rich heiress. Vivian, as beautiful as she is, is even poorer than you. Remember that, remember that, and don't you dare fall in love with her."

When the carriage finally pulled into the Greenhall courtyard, Anthony hurried into the house to get to his room and go to bed: so tired was he after a merry night at the Den. However, scarcely had the master's son crossed the threshold of the beautiful front doors, when one of the footmen said to him, "Good afternoon, Mr. Cranford. Lady Cranford is expecting you in her study."