Left unchaperoned when Aunt Amelia drifts off and wards Margaret and Edith go to dance, Charlotte retreats with lemonade to the stairs, overwhelmed by the ball’s grandeur and her isolation. She tries to study the men as potential matches, willing herself to feel attraction, but finds only stiffness and awkwardness despite romantic ideals.

A voice behind her jokes that the men look like show ponies, making Charlotte laugh. She turns and is struck by the sight of a striking woman in deep purple with copper hair and ochre eyes. The woman’s presence evokes in Charlotte the intense mix of hope and fear she has longed to feel, and they begin speaking while watching the dancers.

The woman teasingly asks if there is anyone Charlotte would like to ride, which startles Charlotte into laughter. The woman loops her arm through Charlotte’s and leads her along the balcony, offering incisive social commentary about various guests—Eleanor Pendleton, Albert Pendleton, Frederick Hanover, Henry Castle, Lisbeth Rennick, and Olivia Finch—while remaining focused on Charlotte.

When Charlotte asks who she is, the woman introduces herself as Sabine Olivares. Charlotte introduces herself as Charlotte Hastings, noting her family nickname, Lottie. Their easy rapport continues as they descend the stairs; Charlotte blurts a compliment about Sabine’s striking presence, and Sabine notes she goes unnoticed because she is a widow.

Charlotte expresses sympathy, but Sabine quietly says she is not sorry, a startling confession that Charlotte has no time to examine. A young man, George Preston of Barrington, approaches and asks Charlotte for the next dance. With a playful aside only Charlotte catches, Sabine gently nudges Charlotte forward to accept.

Charlotte allows George to lead her to the floor, repeatedly glancing back to find Sabine still watching her with steady attention until the music swells and the dance carries Charlotte away.