She saw she was likely to be very intimate with Meta Rivers, and she was roaming away into schemes for not letting the intercourse drop, and hopes of being admitted to many a pleasure as yet little within her reach--parties, balls, London, itself, and, above all, the satisfaction of being admired.

The certainty that Mr.Rivers thought her pretty and agreeable had gratified her all the evening, and if he, with his refined taste, thought so, what would others think?
Her only fear was, that Ethel's awkwardness might make an unfavourable impression, but, at least, she said to herself, it was anything but vulgar awkwardness.
Their reflections were interrupted by the fly stopping.

It was at a little shop in the outskirts of the town, and Dr.May, explained that he wanted to inquire for a patient.

He went in for a moment, then came back to desire that they would go home, for he should be detained some little time.

No one need sit up for him--he would let himself in.
It seemed a comment on Ethel's thoughts, bringing them back to the present hour.