"Thank you," she said in a small voice. She took a moment to just... breathe. All would be well, she thought. She was the picture of calm again. "I can't imagine you wanting this back right now," she said with a breathy laugh, gesturing with the hanky. She dabbed her eyes with the sopping cloth and blinked a few times. "All will be well, I think. I just need to go home. I live in my own home, you see, and my brothers don't like it." She was a talkative young miss, usually a ray of sunshine.

"But I do not mean to take up your time, sir. I know this must be strange, you bumping into the likes of me. I promise I am not normally so morose." She gripped the hanky in one hand and offered her right, gloved hand. "I am Pearl Carrington, and I thank you for your kindness."