– Another nasty day… I wish winter and its snows would come sooner! – The girl said in lieu of greeting. She looked at Anthony's outfit with an appraising glance and added: – I hope you won't freeze on your nasty unnecessary hunt, dear cousin.
– Don't worry, my dear grumpy Vivian," he grinned. – Such outfits have saved me more than once, even in the cold of winter. But how was your day yesterday? You left in such a hurry.
– Jeremy worries about me too much. We came home and spent the day in peace and quiet," Mrs. Wington lied without hesitation. – But how did Charlotte react to our departure? And what's going on between you two now? – she asked with a sly smile.
– I am madly in love with her, but her feelings are unknown to me. She is polite and friendly. You delicate creatures are so difficult to unravel," Anthony replied in an even tone. – Miss Salton was upset by your departure, but I managed to cheer her up with my unflattering singing… But I have great news: I am moving from Greenhall to my own house in a few days, and I expect to be visited by my dear guests on the first day of my move: you, your husband, and Miss Salton, of course.
– I am proud of you, dear cousin! – The girl glowed. – It is high time you lived apart from your mother. But I have good news to share with you, too! Jeremy has allowed me to see Charlotte. And you.
– Me? Did he object to you and me seeing each other? – Mr. Cranford was unpleasantly surprised.
– No, you misunderstood… It's funny, but Jeremy is jealous of you," Vivian explained in a whisper. – But don't tell him that I told you about it.
– I won't, I promise. But, God, he's so funny! – Anthony laughed.
– He is. Terribly funny," said Vivian, smiling. – But I'm going inside: I hate drizzle. And you've heard that Charlotte's coming to see me today. So I certainly mustn't get ill again. I'd ask you to spare the animals, but I know you'd never do it-so I'll say, 'Good luck with your hunting, dear cousin. – "And please make me a widow," muttered the girl.
At this they said good-bye.
When they entered the house, on the stairs Vivian met her husband, who, carrying a large hunting rifle, was smiling so happily that she was sickened by his bloodthirsty smile, but she wished him a happy hunt and answered his passionate kiss. Having fulfilled her role as an obedient wife, she made her way to the bedroom.
She took off her damp shawl, hung it on the back of a chair by the blazing fireplace, pulled the cord to call Jane to her chamber, and sat down at the dressing table to make sure once again that the high collar of her morning dress concealed the bruises on her neck.
Jane appeared a few minutes later.
– You wanted to see me, Miss Vivian? – She asked readily.
– Sit beside me, my dear," Vivian smiled at her reflection.
The maid moved a soft chair to the dressing-table and complied with her friend's request.
The girls chatted quietly on diverse topics. Jane also happily informed her friend that her mother was now able to pick up objects and attend to herself again, but was still struggling with the effects of her burns.
– Miss Vivian, you forbid me to talk about this… But you are so unhappy. You don't want to tell me, but I understand, I understand everything. He beats you. And yesterday I saw him coming into your bedroom with a whip. And then I saw your hands, but only today I realised that he had beaten you with that damned whip! – Jane said in a quietly determined tone, and gently took her friend's red, swollen hands in her own.
