The Metamorphosis of Lady Barbara Solange Minney Ch. 1
Lady Barbara Solange Minney, aged 46, known as Moaning Minnie amongst the county set, of whom she should have been a stalwart instead of a figure of ridicule, turned towards the Cheval Mirror in her bedroom. She considered the mirror to be somewhat ostentatious but as it was an antique given by her great Aunt she had kept it. The rest of the bedroom did not reflect any kind of femininity whatsoever even though the room was not shared by her husband Sir Stanley.
At that moment her husband called that he had to be leaving for the office, as he was late and he reminded her that he was giving her a lift to the railway station although why she chose not to use her own car was a mystery to him.
"I do not need to be reminded Stanley" she snapped, "we have plenty of time." Turning back to the mirror she looked at herself critically - by her standards. A rather severe Harris tweed suit, white blouse with a Peter Pan collar, lisle stockings, sensible shoes and should anyone have had the audacity to look they would have found she was wearing a full slip, a corselette, and interlock knickers with elasticated legs.
Once in the car, for sake of a little conversation Stanley had the temerity to ask where she was going.