Mary turns too, already on the defensive, her face altering from concerned to stubborn and silent.

The person approaching is tall and thin and female and impeccably dressed - an etiquette teacher, during the morning hours, and at other times a chaperone.

"Miss Lennox," she says, sharply, "you are meant to be in Monsieur Levardin's class at this very moment - and instead I find you out, unchaperoned, consorting with servants. What possible excuse can you have for this behavior?"