Amongst the things that did not change was Stephen's riding dress.
The scarlet habit had never been a thing for everyday wear, but had
from the first been kept for special occasions. Stephen herself knew
that it was not a conventional costume; but she rather preferred it,
if on that account alone. In a certain way she felt justified in
using it; for a red habit was a sort of tradition in the family.

It was on one of these occasions that she had gone with Harold into
the churchyard where they had heard the discussion regarding God and
the Angels.


When Stephen was about sixteen she went for a short visit to Oxford.
She stayed at Somerville with Mrs. Egerton, an old friend of her
mother's, who was a professor at the college. She sent back her maid
who had travelled with her, as she knew that the college girls did
not have servants of their own. The visit was prolonged by mutual
consent into a duration of some weeks. Stephen fell in love with the
place and the life, and had serious thoughts of joining the college
herself. Indeed she had made up her mind to ask her father to allow
her, knowing well that he would consent to that or to any other
wholesome wish of hers. But then came the thought that he would be
all alone at home; and following that came another thought, and one
of more poignant feeling. He was alone now! Already, for many days,
she had left him, for the first time in her life! Stephen was quick
to act; well she knew that at home there would be no fault found with
her for a speedy return. Within a few hours she had brought her
visit to an end, and was by herself, despite Mrs. Egerton's protest,
in the train on the way back to Norcester.