sang-froid, sang-frwo', n, coolness, indifference, calmness (Fr., sang - blood, froid, cold)

Prudence's humours had turned quiet sour during this exchange with Lord Lambington..still she thought of dear Aunt Olga and her promise..it was her saving grace when the tiresome expectations of the life her father lusted after for his daughters, that of marrying them off into the stronger titles of this fair land to expand family and personal empire, engulfed her, as it was at this moment. In fact one could almost say devouring her, chomping chomping chomping. Luckily Prudence realised that the horror that was renting her very being was Bunty finishing off yet more bacon. Honestly thought Prudence, her younger sister was a mystery to her. And what was she wearing? If Prudence was to be honest with herself the frock was simply ghastly, quite extraordinarily so. And why was her father looking so dewy at Bunty? Oh my, thought Prudence to herself, was Papa aware of the power such an expression had on an innocent spectator? She concluded obviously not, for he maintained the look unawares of just how unsettling it was. Still Prudence had been well trained by a rather stoic governess in the art of sang-froid. In fact her governess would be proud at the extraordinary self discipline in which Prudence was applying said art to her being at this moment. Little did Prudence realise how much she would be employing it over the course of the days events.......

Malaise, ma-laz, n. uneasiness: a feeling of discomfort or sickness. (O. Fr. malaise)

Prudence promptly dropped her head, her bottom lip trembling, something that happened all too often when the overly large presence of her father came into her sphere.
"Honestly child, the fresh air will do you good," Lord Lambington barked at his eldest daughter. He had always thought her a somewhat overly delicate child, prone to fits of malaise whenever the family resided at the manor. Dear sweet Bunty on the other hand embraced the viggors of country living with panache, he looked lovingly at his youngest daughter whom, even he had to admit, was looking splendid in the new riding frock Nanny had acquired for her.
"Besides Pru old girl you know these things are required of you, plenty of young stallions out there waiting for a well bred filly like yourself," he chuckled to one and all.
This did not fill Prudence with any kind of confidence, for she knew exactly the kind of young society men her father was referring to. Prudence was filled with a dread that had begun seeping into her bones the night she was presented to society. These men were definitely not interested in Prudence's wit, intelligence or thirst for knowledge..no, no they were not.
A shudder ran down her spine as she looked up to see the determined set to her father's face, a face that had become quiet jowly in recent years.....

Dirdum - dir'dum, n (Scot.) uproar: to scold

The sunlight cast an appealing glow through the breakfast room curtins at stately Lambrook Manor. Lord Lambington's daughters, Prudence and Bunty, were sitting down to breakfast before having to venture out to one of the many tiring gatherings life in the country seemed to demand of a young woman embarking on her first foray into gentile society. Bunty, the more adventurous of the girls, never seemed to mind these demands on her, but poor Prudence, who in possession of a far more delicate nature, was positively faint at the thought.
"Oh why must Papa insist we embark on these rustic affairs that only seem to occupy the lives of rural folk?" asked Prudence of Bunty, whom presently was far more interested in the rather large assortment of eggs, bacon and toast than to the musings of her sister.
"Why in London it is the civilized conversations at the Symth's parlour gatherings that occupies ones time. Oh Bunty I do so wish we could embark on our own Grand Tour! I wonder when Aunt Olga will return from the contintent so she can be our chaperon?" Prudence pondered over the half a slice of toast she allowed herself.
Unfortunately it was at this precise moment Lord Lambington, a rather ebullient member of the gentry, entered the room.
"Oh do square up Prudence," he said in a rather dirdum manner...