Emilie had decided just the thing to appease her mother about her tardiness at Lady Morton's tea would be a lovely bouquet. She reached in the pocket of her newly fashionable round gown and drew out a tiny velvet drawstring bag holding coins. As she did so, a bundle of vanilla pods, tied with a bit of string, fell on the foot of a gentleman also admiring the flower arrangements.
"Pardon! I am so very sorry!" Emilie bent to pick up the tiny bundle, hoping the gentleman would not wonder why she carried such an odd thing on her person.