Olivia closed her book and set it on the seat beside her. She was far too excited to concentrate, it felt like it had been so long since she had last seen Patience. She looked out of the carriage window at the landscape that was slowly turning into the city of London. Truthfully, she didn't much care for the city. It was overcrowded and dirty, and the grim faces of the disadvantaged that seemed to be everywhere tore at her heart. Why her family and friends seemed to love it so was beyond her understanding, but love it they did and so she did her best to tolerate it for them.

As the carriage neared the Hurst's home, she began to fuss at her hair and to pull on her gloves. She knew that Patience cared a great deal for such things and Olivia wanted to please her. Patience always looked lovely and perfect and it made Olivia feel a bit inadequate beside her. She fussed some more and then all of a sudden the carriage came to a stop and the door was held open for her. Olivia got down only slightly less gracefully than she would have liked and headed up the steps to the Hurst's door.