"Do I?" Henrietta asked, mouth agape. It was so many things to consider, and none of it had been covered in finishing school. Appearances, occupation, family size, and reputation. Henri had never formed an opinion on any of them, as far as she knew, though she was sure her mother likely had some opinions. Her mother had opinions on everything. Part of her thought she ought not to get attached to any fantasies now, lest she be disappointed when her mother or brother stepped in to direct matters in a way that she might be displeased with. A smooth stone, causing no turmoil amidst the forceful river of her mother's will. But Henri was going to be a debutante soon, and she ought to exist as a person at least a little apart from her mother, so perhaps Helga was right and she should think about such matters.

Appearances, occupation, family size, reputation. Did Helga mean the size of his family or the size of the family he wanted to create after he'd married? She could not imagine that his siblings would have anything at all to do with her married life — but perhaps that was only because of her own experiences, with the Cartwrights being whittled away until it was just the three of them left at home. Helga's experiences must have been different, with Mr. Scamander and his young son still living at home with everyone else. But heavens, having to find a way to like the gentleman in question seemed like enough of a task without having to attach oneself to his entire family, too!

"I —" she began, opening her mouth but still absolutely unsure of what to say. "I —"

Her cheeks felt warm. She was making a fool of herself. Helga was going to be terribly disappointed in her and regret having invited her at all. Henri closed her mouth, tried to find something to say, and opened it again — and then disappeared entirely.