The pleasantries exchanged by the gazebo were so uplifting to Hortense that she nearly forgot that her bonnet was not yet tied. Gerhard was a gentleman by any new world standards even when his Teutonic edginess leaked out occasionally. But today was triumphant simply for the reason he brought a smile to this beautiful creature's lovely visage. When the carriage arrived, Hortense thanked Gerhard for assisting her to her seat and was nearly tempted to blow a kiss his way as the driver snapped the reins. The autumn sun was nearly setting as the carriage stopped at the public house and Hortense was greeted by Angela carrying her parasol in her gloved hand. "My dear, you look absolutely radiant, did you see him today?" Angela asked with no hesitation. "I not only saw him, dear friend, but he kissed my hand and complemented me on the color of my dress". The two of them entered and walked past the boisterous patrons heading right for the room to the side where Hortense's friends awaited her. She excused herself and slipped away to the dressing room where she sat in front of the lighted mirror and smiled at the rosiness of her complexion. As she adjusted her corset she couldn't help feeling a pleasant sensation in her lap as she closed her eyes and thought of how handsome Gerhard looked in the sunlit corner sitting on the railing of the gazebo. Her face flushed as the sensation heightened and surely all this adjustment was required to her corset for comfort purposes. Hortense let out a barely noticeable sigh as she stood and tugged on her dress before rejoining the friends who all were dying to hear about her afternoon. Perhaps the mood is exactly correct, she thought, correct for telling about her day as a lady should.