She was the less in danger from liberty, because of the disgust which certain tones and words of her father had repeatedly occasioned her.

She learned self-defence early--and alone, without even a dog to keep her company, and help her to the laws of the world outside herself.
With none of the conventionalities of society, Lady Joan saw no reason for making a difficulty when, the day after that on which her father died, Cosmo proposed a walk in the snow.

He saw her properly provided for what seemed to her an adventure--with short skirts, and stockings over her shoes--and they set out together, in the brilliant light of a sun rapidly declining toward the western horizon, though it had but just passed the low noon.

The moment she stepped from the threshold, Joan was invaded by an almost giddy sense of freedom.

The keen air and the impeding snow sent the warm blood to her cheeks, and her heart beat as if new-born into a better world.