It was a ruse, a worked out design between Sally and Rofflash to secure Vane and spite Lavinia whom she hated more than enough.
Meanwhile Lavinia was drawing near.

Mistress Salisbury had shifted her position and had manoeuvred so as she could glance down the path to St.
James's Palace and perforce Vane had his back towards it.

Sally's sharp eyes caught sight of a figure which she shrewdly guessed was Lavinia's.
Preparing herself for a crowning piece of craft, Sally suddenly relaxed her rigidity and inclined langorously towards Vane who had no alternative save catching her.

No sooner did she feel his arms than she sank gracefully into them, her handkerchief to her eyes.
"Madam," stammered the troubled young man, "pray recollect yourself.

I protest----" "Protest! Oh, how cruel--how hard hearted! I love you.