The pool of St Branok

Helena pulled down the blinds of the carriage but that did not shut them out of my mind. I thought then of the wonderful work Frances and Peter-kin were doing and that I might like to join them.

But then we had arrived.

Into the Palace we went, and there was the Queen, a tiny figure, most elaborately dressed, diamonds glittering on her person and jeweled tiara on her head. There could be no mistaking her. Small she might be, but I had never before seen a more regal air. Beside her was the Prince, formidable, severity in every line of his once-handsome face. He looked strained and tired; and I remembered how the press had attacked him during the recent war. They did not like him because he was a German and they were not fond of foreigners. No people ever were. The French had hated Marie Antoinette because she was an Austrian, I remembered.

I was there before Her Majesty. I was thankful that my curtsy would have won the approval of Madame Duprey herself. I kissed the plump little hand, glittering with jewels; I received the benign smile and I walked backwards with ease ... and it was all over.

I felt I had been weighed in the balance and found not wanting.

I was now fit to mix in English society!

Our first ball! It was given by Lady Bellington, one of the leading London hostesses, for her daughter Jennifer. The Bellington residence was a mansion which had a small garden beyond which was the Park.

Helena, with my mother, Aunt Amaryllis and Uncle Peter, accompanied us. My mother told me not to worry if I did not dance all the evening. If we were sitting out we should indulge in animated conversation and give the impression that we were not in the least concerned about not being asked to dance. It was hard to imagine Morwenna engaged in animated conversation and this only added to her worries.

"No one will surely want to dance with me," she declared. "And if they did I should forget half the steps. I don't know which will be worse ... having to dance or sit out."

"All things come to an end," I told her philosophically. "Tomorrow it will be something in the past."

I was quite looking forward to it. I loved dancing for one thing; and I did find it amusing to be among these people, to watch the ambitious mammas' eyes on the most eligible of the young men, calculating, trying hard to push forward their daughters without seeming to.

I exchanged glances with my mother; she knew what I was thinking: and I had said to myself, It doesn't matter. If I sit out the whole evening they love me just the same. I gave up a little prayer of thanksgiving for my parents.

At the top of the wide staircase Lord and Lady Bellington received us graciously, Jennifer beside them.

We passed on.

The music was playing. Two middle-aged gentlemen came up to us and asked us to dance. From Helena's description of her coming-out days I guessed they were needy scions of good family who were given an evening's entertainment in exchange for services rendered to the unpreferred.

They whirled us round. I wondered how Morwenna was getting on. I thought she might find this a good baptism for the middle-aged gentlemen would do their duty which would surely include being affable and helpful to a shy young woman.

In due course we returned to our party. We had broken the ice. We had danced.

A young man appeared. He bowed before us, his eyes on me.

"May I have the pleasure ... ?"

I rose and put my hand in his; in a short time we were in the dance.

"Quite a crowd," he said languidly.

"Yes."

"It is always thus at Bellington affairs."

"You attend them frequently?"

"Oh ... now and then."

We talked of the weather, the floor, the band and such matters which I could not find of absorbing interest; but we danced and, thanks to Madame Duprey, I was able to give a good account of myself.

And then I saw a face which was vaguely familiar to me. For a second I could not think where I had seen it before. He was looking at me with a kind of awestruck recognition. Then I knew. He was the young man who had come down to Cador with Jonnie to dig at the pool. I remembered his name: Gervaise Mandeville.

The dance led us away from each other but my thoughts had now turned from the band, the floor and the weather, and I was back in Cornwall. I was there at the pool, and it was all coming back to me, as it still did on such occasions, even now.

I was glad when I was returned to my party. Morwenna was still sitting out.

"Was that enjoyable?" asked Helena.

"He danced well," I replied.

"I could see that," said my mother. "Madame Duprey was a very good teacher."

He was there almost immediately.

"Mrs. Lansdon ... Mrs. Hanson, you remember me? Gervaise Mandeville?"

"Oh," cried my mother. "Oh yes ... you came down with ..."

He understood. He did not want to raise painful subjects. "Yes," he said. "For the dig. It was not very successful, I'm afraid. I came to ask Miss Hanson if she would care to dance."

"This is Miss Pencarron," I said. "She is being brought out with me."

He bowed, smiling pleasantly at Morwenna.