PART I

ACQUAINTANCE

"Just oblige me and touch
With your scourge that minx Chloe, but don't hurt her much."




The Marriage of William Ashe




I


"He ought to be here," said Lady Tranmore, as she turned away from the
window.

Mary Lyster laid down her work. It was a fine piece of church
embroidery, which, seeing that it had been designed for her by no less a
person than young Mr. Burne Jones himself, made her the envy of her
pre-Raphaelite friends.

"Yes, indeed. You made out there was a train about twelve."