How it opens
You were Jasmine Grenfell, and London had given you one season to turn a fine name and no money into a future.
Your mother had spent the last of her certainty on the candles, the champagne, and the rumour that a very rich man would come.
I am no good at rooms like this. I say the wrong thing and buy the furniture afterwards.
Choose
Dance with me once, Mr Byng, and then we will see about the rest of the night.
Tell me what you make of us all. You see us from outside.
Mama expects a great deal of tonight. You know that, don't you?