Olivia begins the letter by describing a small cottage that sits on New Park’s property, under a cluster of elms near the entrance gate. Olivia finds the cottage romantic in an antiquated sense and appreciates its presence near her home. It had recently been shut up, but there is now a new tenant: a woman living by herself. Seeing that Olivia is curious about the woman, Augustus tells her to ask Mrs. Lumley about her.

While Olivia and Caroline Lumley are walking in the park, they meet up with two couples: Miss Singleton and Frederic Ingot, and Miss Danby and Mr. Waller. Olivia notes that Miss Singleton is dressed like a shepherdess and that Mr. Waller and Miss Danby seem to be flirting, which clearly makes Caroline uncomfortable. Miss Danby asks Olivia if she has met the mysterious woman in the cottage yet, to which Olivia says she has not. Miss Singleton says that the Colonel will use his gallantry to meet her and report back on her identity, particularly whether or not she is beautiful. Miss Singleton goes on to praise her brother’s charm and says that if they had not been related, she might have been “one of his victims” (130).