How was she to know that the web was weaving slowly around her?
It was silence like that of a tiger falling back for a spring.
Then the great event of her life came to Marion Arleigh.

She fell in love, and this time it was real, genuine and true.

Lady Ridsdale insisted on her going to London for the season.
It was high time, she said, that Miss Arleigh, the heiress of Hanton, was presented at court, and made her debut in the great world.
So they went to London, and Marion, by her wonderful beauty and grace, created a great sensation there; Heiress of Hanton, one of the prettiest estates in England, she had plenty of lovers; her appearance was the most decided success, just as Lady Ridsdale had foreseen that it would be.
Then came my Lord Atherton, one of the proudest and handsomest men in England, the owner of an immense property and most noble name.

He had been abroad for some years, but returned to London, and was considered one of the most eligible and accomplished men of the day.

Many were the speculations as to whom he would marry--as to who would win the great matrimonial prize.
The wonder and speculations were soon at an end.