Then she gradually built herself up a store of clothes of the utmost elegance, which were the hopeless envy of the other girls employed at Madame Catherine's.

And, finally, she looked about for serviceable acquaintances.
One night, in the pit of Drury Lane Theatre, while 'The Lady of Lyons' was going on, Sandy Grieve found himself next to a dazzling creature, with fine black eyes, the smooth olive skin of the South, white teeth, and small dimpled hands, hardly spoilt at all by her trade.

She had with her a plain girl-companion, and her manner, though conscious and provocative, had that haughtiness, that implied readiness to take offence, which is the _grisette's_ substitute for breeding.

She was, however, affable to Sandy, whose broad shoulders and handsome, well-to-do air attracted her attention.

She allowed him to get her a programme, to beguile her into conversation, and, finally, to offer her a cup of coffee.
Afterwards he escorted the two to the door of their lodging, in one of the streets off Theobald's Road, and walked home in a state of excitement which astonished him.
This happened immediately before his visit to the farm and his mother's death.