In the meantime, the rest of the group watched the phaeton move away and started making their way to their respective residences until dinner. Arthur and Diana escorted Georgiana to Miss Griffiths's house, Mrs Heywood, Alison and Lady Susan made their way to the hotel, Mr Springer to his house and finally Tom and Mary to Trafalgar House.

This division of the party left Tom and Mary by themselves again. Both of them were unwilling to speak to each other. Mary was playing with the fabric of her dress and looking anywhere but her husband. Tom was fiddling with his cravat suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

Their walk continued in silence until finally Tom realised that his wife was really not willing to initiate any topic of conversation with him. They were only a few steps away from their house when he touched her arm slightly to stop her walking away.

Mary had to make herself look at her husband. She expected him to say something to her- yet he said nothing. She sighed loudly and started making her way to the door. Only then did Tom blurt out 'Mary, may I court you again? Let me prove myself to you!'

That was the last thing that she expected him to say but she rejoiced inwardly when she heard him utter the words. She was overwhelmed by the request- she could only blush and nod silently at her husband. Tom's smile at her response warmed her heart. Nothing else was said between them as they walked into their house with a flutter of hope in their hearts.