Her mother did not frequent balls, and during the last two years there had grown upon them a necessity for economy which was inimical to many gloves and costly dresses.

Sir Felix went out of course, but Hetta Carbury spent most of her time at home with her mother in Welbeck Street.
Occasionally the world saw her, and when the world did see her the world declared that she was a charming girl.

The world was so far right.
But for Henrietta Carbury the romance of life had already commenced in real earnest.

There was another branch of the Carburys, the head branch, which was now represented by one Roger Carbury, of Carbury Hall.

Roger Carbury was a gentleman of whom much will have to be said, but here, at this moment, it need only be told that he was passionately in love with his cousin Henrietta.