It was so delightful that she should be of this particular house-party--this lovely creature, whom she had only known previously through pictures in ladies' illustrated papers.

If it should occur to her to wish to become the Marchioness of Walderhurst, what could possibly prevent the consummation of her desire?
Surely not Lord Walderhurst himself, if he was human.

She was standing, leaning lightly against the trunk of an ilex-tree, and a snow-white Borzoi was standing close to her, resting his long, delicate head against her gown, encouraging the caresses of her fair, stroking hand.

She was in this attractive pose when Lady Maria turned in her seat and said: "There's Walderhurst." The man who had driven himself over from the station in the cart was coming towards them across the grass.

He was past middle life and plain, but was of good height and had an air.