‘I need to know everything you can tell me about this man. It’s very important, Simeon. You won’t forget, will you?’

‘Memory is a strange thing. It responds to alcohol. If you buy me a second glass of Canary wine, I can guarantee that I’ll have found out what you want in the time specified. You have my word of honour.’

Left alone for the rest of the day, Hannah Granville felt that the best way to forget the travails of playing Lady Macbeth was to concentrate on her next role. To that end, she studied the scenes from Measure for Measure in which she’d appear as the hapless Isabella, a role she’d always wished to play. She was so entranced by what she was reading that she was lost to the world. When the maid entered, therefore, Hannah was jolted.

‘I did knock, Miss Granville,’ the woman said.

‘What is it?’

‘You have a visitor.’

‘Really? I wasn’t expecting anyone.’

‘The young lady said that you told her to come for advice if ever she felt in need of it. Her name is Miss Glenn.’

‘Oh,’ said Hannah, getting to her feet. ‘It’s Dorothea. Show her in at once.’

After disappearing for a second, the maid ushered in the visitor. Dorothea Glenn was a short, slim, poised young woman with the kind of beauty that only came into its own when she was truly animated. Hannah spread her arms in welcome and the newcomer ran into them to receive a kiss on both cheeks. They sat beside each other on the sofa.

‘I hope I’m not disturbing you, Miss Granville,’ said Dorothea.

‘Not at all – I’m delighted to see you.’

‘I’ve been studying the play,’ said Dorothea, glancing at the copy of it on the low table. ‘And I see that you’ve been doing the same.’

‘I’m just easing my way into it and doing my best to shake off all trace of Lady Macbeth. I fancy that Isabella will suit my temper more appropriately. But you don’t want to hear about me. You’re here to discuss Mariana of the Moated Grange. It’s only a small role but one in which you can make an impression.’

‘I do hope so.’

‘You have a wonderful chance to play on the audience’s sympathies.’

‘Mariana is a victim. She’s been shabbily treated.’

Hannah sat back. ‘Tell me about your initial thoughts regarding the part.’

‘Well,’ said the other, ‘my feeling is this …’

For a couple of minutes, Dorothea talked quietly and intelligently about her role, then she began to falter slightly. Hannah was immediately alerted. As a rule, her visitor was always brimming with excitement at the fact that a distinguished actress was taking an interest in her. There was no trace of it now. Her voice was strained, her body tense and her eyes dull. Hannah raised a palm to stop her.