As Ula was besieged by would-be partners asking to be introduced to her, she thought everything was exactly as she had dreamt it would be, only even more marvellous. She was, however, although she tried to suppress it, acutely conscious of her uncle’s and aunt’s and Sarah’s hatred, which seemed to vibrate at her across the room. She tried not to look in their direction, but when she did so, she was thankful to find that Sarah was surrounded by young men, so that she could not complain on that account. Nevertheless, she knew, although it was ungrateful to think so, that they spoilt the party for her. But she enjoyed every dance, only being disappointed that the Marquis did not ask her to dance with him. However, he had made it very clear before the ball that he never danced if he could possibly help it. “Sometimes it has to happen in the line of duty,”
