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as a partner for Delphine. His name was Harry Turner, a pleasant young man, but too intellectual for Delphine and she found his conversation tedious. But when they danced in the beautiful octagonal ballroom she was in her element, starry-eyed as the chandeliers spun overhead.
    When the evening had ended and Daniel had brought the sisters home again, he suggested a Sunday carriage ride into the country the following afternoon. Even as Louise began to shake her head Delphine pushed impishly in front of her.
    ‘Yes, we’d enjoy that very much, Mr Lombard.’
    ‘Call me Daniel, please.’
    As soon as he had gone Louise let her clenched hands rise and fall in exasperation. ‘Why did you accept, Delphine? I told you I didn’t want to extend our relationship with him beyond this evening! He’s been thoughtful and generous, but enough is enough.’
    ‘I’m not turning down anything that is fun!’ Delphine retaliated defiantly. ‘Where’s the harm in a carriage ride? And I’m sure it will lead to another invitation.’ Her tone became self-pitying. ‘Remember, I’ve never known anything like this evening. It was all quite wonderful. Daniel will be gone again soon enough.’ She managed a catch in her whining voice as if close to tears. ‘Surely you don’t wish to deprive me of what little chance I have to enjoy myself socially?’
    Louise frowned impatiently, recognizing her sister’s appeal as emotional blackmail.
    ‘You know I don’t want to deny you anything within reason, but we’re getting too deeply involved with Daniel.’
    Delphine laughed with a hint of maliciousness. ‘You are, don’t you mean? He’d like to be alone with you, I can see that! So just be thankful that I’m always present.’
    Sunday dawned warm and sunny. In the afternoon, Daniel arrived, driving a pretty little cream-coloured carriage with the black top folded down and a pair of dappled greys in the shafts. He drove the sisters out of the city into the May-bright countryside. It was the first time they had been out of New York since their arrival and both enjoyed the change. There were forests and hills and isolated farmsteads as far as the eye could see, with the sparkle of a river here and there. Everywhere the dogwood trees were in bloom, spreading their pale blossom across the landscape like a soft cloud.
    The afternoon ended with coffee and slices of sweet raisin bread in the City Hotel’s own coffee house. To Delphine’s delight Daniel produced three tickets for a play opening.
    ‘I hope you’ve no other arrangements made,’ he said.
    Louise was aware of her sister’s frantic glance, which begged her not to refuse him. She hesitated briefly, forcing herself to accept the situation for this last time. ‘No, we haven’t, but you’re doing far too much for us.’
    ‘I could never do that.’ His eyes were serious.
    The play was excellent and they had the best box, which the President and Mrs Washington had occupied whenever they had patronized the theatre. During a light supper afterwards, Daniel spoke of taking them to a ball at Rousselot’s before he left New York again.
    ‘When you have so much business in this city, why don’t you live here?’ Delphine asked flirtatiously.
    ‘The heart of my business is in Boston.’
    ‘But you’ll never stop coming back to see us, will you?’ Delphine insisted. She did not want him deterred from inviting them out by what she considered to be Louise’s stupid failure to encourage him.
    He grinned, having no illusions about her query. ‘You can be sure of that.’
    When they arrived back at the apartment, she thanked him for the evening as Louise turned the key in the lock. Then, as Delphine went in, Louise turned to say goodnight to him.
    ‘Don’t go in yet, Louise. This is the first chance I’ve had to talk to you on your own.’
    She guessed what was coming and was quick to forestall him. ‘Before you say anything, let me speak first. I’ve enjoyed your company, but I