CHAPTER IV.
A YEAR LATER Something over a year had gone by, and Barbara, returned from her foreign travels, sat in the drawing-room of Lady Thompson's house in Russell Square.
That year had made much difference in her, for the sweet country girl, now of full age, had blossomed into the beautiful young woman of the world.

She had wintered in Rome and studied its antiquities and art.

She had learned some French and Italian, for nothing was grudged to her in the way of masters, and worked at music, for which she had a natural taste.

She had seen a good deal of society also, for Lady Thompson was at heart proud of her beautiful niece, and spared no expense to bring her into contact with such people as she considered she should know.
Thus it came about that the fine apartment they occupied in Rome had many visitors.

Among these was a certain Secretary of Legation, the Hon.
Charles Erskine Russell, who, it was expected, would in the course of nature succeed to a peerage.