And yet there will be happiness...

Much improved

She sucked in a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. Just a minute ago, she had wanted to fall through the ground or simply disappear from this ball. Now, sitting on a soft banquette with beautiful carved legs, hiding behind a large and heavy dark crimson curtain, she began to cry, giving vent to her emotions. Tears, treacherously protruding from her eyes, trickled down her delicate cheeks in thin streams. Her lips twitched slightly, making her incredibly vulnerable. She felt ashamed, embarrassed, and proud at the same time. It was so new to her that it didn't give her any peace.

He pulled back the curtain, obviously looking for someone, and when he finally saw her, he had admired. Her graceful figure, her long neck, and the delicate arrangement of hair at the nape of her neck, were all perfect and exquisite. He continued to stand behind her, barely breathing, afraid to break the magic of the moment.
He came a little closer and, without speaking, reached out and touched her shoulder gently. She started in surprise and whirled around to face him, wiping away the tears that had so generously drenched her young face. When she looked at him, she blushed and lowered her eyes, trying to hide them behind long black lashes.
He silently handed her a handkerchief and sat down on the other side of the banquette.
Taking the handkerchief, she slowly wiped away her tears and looked at him again.
- Thank you, Mr. Crowe - Allison said, almost in a whisper.
- Not necessary - he said - better tell me what happened to you?
- I'm all right - Allison said.
- Then why are you crying? - Сrowе asked, genuinely not understanding.
- In the hall. ..I - Allison began, but he interrupted her.
- You were magnificent - Crowe said, not hiding his admiration - a real goddess of war.
- But I do... I'm not like that at all - she said, embarrassed - I am ashamed that I was so impertinent to Mrs. Campion... but I don't regret a word I said. She shouldn't have said that about my family. She doesn't know anything about us.
- Don't blame yourself - Crowe said calmly, looking into her eyes. They were still glistening with tears, and for a moment he thought he was going to drown in their bottomless depths, and with a great effort of self-control, he continued - Mrs. Campion deserved much harsher treatment. You just don't know what kind of person she is.
- I'm so grateful for your support - said Allison - this is all so new to me, to be honest, I was confused. Please don't think I'm a crybaby.
He laughed happily.
-  Is this your first ball, Miss Haywood? - he asked with a smile.
- This is probably funny - proudly answered she - but you must understand that this is a very important day for any girl.
- And Mrs. Campion was able to make it truly memorable - he continued.
It was Allison's turn to laugh.
- You're right about that, Mr. Crowe - she said, smiling.
The smile seemed to light her up from within, and Crowe suddenly found that he couldn't take his eyes off her.
- Miss Hеywood, have you been told that you are a very beautiful and unusual girl? - asked Сrowе, leaning slightly toward her.
The blood rushed to her face, and Allison's eyes widened in surprise, but at the same moment, embarrassment washed over her in a powerful wave, forcing her to hide her gaze from the man who had given her the most beautiful compliment of her life.
- Probably not - concluded Сrowе - the better, I will be the first.
She looked at him, but couldn't find the right words. For a while they just sat side by side and looked at each other in silence, not feeling a bit shy.
-  I remember you promised me a dance, Miss Heywood - said Crowe - I hope you don't change your mind?
- No, no, of course not - with a smile she said.
- In that case, let's go to the hall - said Crowe, getting up from the banquette and holding out his open hand to her -  will you do me a great honor, Miss Hеywood?
- With great pleasure, Mr. Crowe -  she said, handing him her white-gloved hand.

- You can't dance like that, Arthur - said Diana - it's unacceptable with your health.
- I am all right, Diana - happily smiling, responded he, pulling its for a in music hall - you must have fun too.
- That's quite out of the question - she said, stamping her foot firmly - this Miss lamb is a bad influence on you.
- Miss lamb has nothing to do with it, Diana - said Arthur - I'm just having a lot of fun today.
- These wild dances will drive you to your grave - said Diana, making an unhappy face - I'm going to die, too...of grief.
Arthur paused and looked at his sister, deciding whether to follow her daily whims again.
- I'm sorry - said a voice behind Arthur.
He turned and saw Dr. Fuchs, modestly waiting to be noticed.
- Dr. Fuchs - said Arthur.
- Her Parker - said the doctor.
- Fraulein Parker, would you do me the honor of giving me the next dance, Bitte? - asked Fuchs.
- Do you approve of dancing, doctor? - Diana asked in surprise.
- Ja, naturlich - he replied - this is a little exercise for our heart and legs. I believe dancing is good for your health.
- Here. I told you you shouldn't worry - said Arthur.
- So let me invite you? -  Fuchs asked again.
Diana looked at Arthur in confusion, but he only nodded happily at her.
- Ja, I mean yes, thank you, doctor- answered Diana.
Fuchs held out his hand to her, and she returned it with hers. Smiling, he led Miss Parker confidently into the music room
- Dr. Fuchs, it is true that you have learned to do a special massage and will please the participants of the tournament with it - she said.
- I'll tell you all about it, Fraulein Parker - he said with a smile.