The largest longest-headed of schemes ask occasionally for something substantial and immediate.

So the Countess stipulated with Providence for the pic-nic.
It was a point to be passed: 'Thorough flood, thorough fire.' In vain poor Andrew Cogglesby, to whom the dinner had been torture, and who was beginning to see the position they stood in at Beckley, begged to be allowed to take them away, or to go alone.

The Countess laughed him into submission.

As a consequence of her audacious spirits she grew more charming and more natural, and the humour that she possessed, but which, like her other faculties, was usually subordinate to her plans, gave spontaneous bursts throughout the day, and delighted her courtiers.
Nor did the men at all dislike the difference of her manner with them, and with the ladies.

I may observe that a woman who shows a marked depression in the presence of her own sex will be thought very superior by ours; that is, supposing she is clever and agreeable.