Rebecca agrees that obedience is the prime virtue

Rebecca gazes into Vickery's eyes for a long moment. There's a part of her that wants to argue back, vociferously - she's always been of the opinion that women are just as capable (and sometimes more so) as men. But...she's very aware that this is not an opinion that will endear her to many men.

And someone needs to cultivate this family's marriage prospects.

Dropping her eyes modestly, she says, "I must admit I...had not considered obedience as a virtue. Usually when people talk of a young lady's accomplishments, they refer to her skills: playing, singing, recitation, and so forth. But obedience is...a quality, a learned way of behavior. And I must admit that on reflection, I think Mr. Vickery's the correct position." She raises her eyes again to make eye contact (carefully) with both men. "A wife must be obedient to her husband if order is to be maintained in society. She may have many other qualities - personal and technical - but if she does not have that one quality of behavior, much will go amiss. And, of course, for servants, warded or otherwise, no quality is more important than obedience. Its centrality transcends class."

Twilwell lets out a delighted laugh. Vickery just shrugs and nods. "Well said!" Twilwell exclaims. "Why, I've never been more delighted to be argued against. Why didn't you put it that way at first, Vickery? Miss Foxhaven has argued quite convincingly for the importance of obedience in a way that all your musty old philosophers failed to do."

"I will admit her appeal held a common-sense logic that mine lacked," Vickery says dryly. "I thank you for your assistance," he adds to Rebecca, almost as an after-thought.

"Well, since we're all in agreement that obedience is such a virtue, Miss Foxhaven, would you mind getting me another cup of tea? Mine is dry," Twilwell chuckles. Rebecca blushes, slightly angrily, and sees Vickery frown, but she swallows her pride.

"Of course," she says. By the time she's returned, the men have moved on to other subjects, and she spends the rest of the conversation mostly listening and occasionally chiming in.

The reception winds to its close, and the Foxhavens depart en masse for Wimbly Place. Each of the girls has been given much to think about during the reception - an eventful afternoon, indeed. When they arrive home, they each (even Alice) collapse into bed. The next few days pass in a blur, and by the middle of next week life has resumed its normal rhythm.