Stephanie stood on the pier, gazing down at the musicians and the couples dancing on the beach. She had looked forward to this party since her aunt had told her about it. In London, parties were held in the ballrooms of mansions with full orchestras in attendance. She had never been to an outdoor celebration before and so far, it exceeded her expectations.

The young girl had stuffed herself on the food that Aunt Bess had bought for her, indulging her desire to try new things. Eventually her cousins had run off to play with friends and her aunt went to sit by a fire and converse with some women she knew. Stephanie asked permission to go up on the pier and received it. She noticed that people watched her as she passed by. Perhaps she should not have worn such a fancy dress but she had wanted to look her best. Almost everyone else was attired in simpler clothes.

Though she had taken dance lessons since she was four, the music and the dances were unfamiliar to her. They were livelier and less formal. After watching for awhile, she began copying the dance steps of the ladies, dancing with an imaginary partner.