IV. A VIEW OF THE RING ROAD.
After some little time spent in conversation, Emmeline remarked to Lady Thicknesse:
“As you don't mean to drive out till after luncheon, aunt, and as there is still plenty of time, Mildred and myself would like to take a walk in the Park, if you have no objection. Chetwynd will accompany us.”
“With the greatest pleasure,” he said. “You will see all the world, for people now go to the Park in the morning as well as later in the day.”
“So I understand,” she replied. “May we go, dearest aunt?”
Lady Thicknesse assented, upon which the two girls withdrew to make the necessary preparation for the promenade. In these they were assisted by their new lady's maid, Rose, who had commenced her duties that morning, to their great delight.
As soon as they were ready, they set out with Chetwynd, and took their way along Wilton Street and through Albert Gate to the Serpentine.
The morning being extremely fine, a great many people were about, and, even at that early hour, the banks of that lovely sheet of water were thronged with fashionable pedestrians, while the adjacent rides and drives were crowded with well-mounted equestrians of both sexes, and splendid equipages.