The earl had passed part of the winter at Mount Severn, looking after the repairs and renovations that were being made there.

In March he went to Paris, full of grief for the loss of his boy--far greater grief than was experienced by Lady Mount Severn.
April approached and with it Easter.

To the unconcealed dismay of Lady Mount Severn, her grandmother, Mrs.Levison, wrote her word that she required change, and should pass Easter with her at Castle Marling.

Lady Mount Severn would have given her diamonds to have got out of it, but there was no escape--diamonds that were once Isabel's--at least, that Isabel had worn.

On the Monday in Passion Week the old lady arrived, and with her Francis Levison.