Alyna looked away for a moment towards the altar and then, as if it gave her no help, she began in a low voice,

“When I got back last night – ”

*

It was not difficult for Lord Dorrington to obtain a vivid picture of what had occurred. Alyna’s extensive reading had taught her to express herself very eloquently.

She had too a turn of phrase that he recognised as being erudite and far beyond the capacity of the usual girl of so young an age.

Then, as he listened to what she had to tell him, he found himself forgetting everything but the drama of the tale itself.

When he left Alyna at Hertford Street, she had waited until the carriage was almost out of sight before she rapped on the door.

When the footman, who was on duty in the hall, had let her in, he looked surprised to find that she was alone.

“I have been conveyed home by a friend, James,” she said. “When her Ladyship returns, tell her that I have retired to bed.”

“Very good, miss.”

Alyna had hurried up the stairs to her bedroom.

The staircase circled a well in the centre of the house, which was lit from the top floor by a large skylight.

The best bedrooms were on the second floor and Alyna, as she undressed, left her door open so that she could hear when her mother returned.

She was well aware that she could expect a fierce scolding for having left the party before the announcement of her engagement and without saying that she was going.

She was, however, certain that her mother would know when she did not turn up in the ballroom that she could not face the ceremony of a public announcement.

She undressed and put on a woollen wrap over her nightgown. Although it had been hot all day, it seemed to have grown cold or it might be, Alyna thought, because she was so nervous.

Anyway she shivered and finally walked up and down her bedroom to keep herself warm.

The hands of the clock on the chimneypiece pointed to two o’clock before she heard wheels draw up outside. Alyna peeped through the curtains and saw, as she expected, the Prince’s flamboyant coach emblazoned with his Coat-of-Arms.

There were two footmen standing on the platform at the back and the horses wore crimson feathers on the front of their bridles.

Alyna watched her mother and the Prince alight.

Then, running from the window, she went through the open door of her bedroom and onto the landing.

James had opened the front door and they were entering the hall.

“Is Miss Alyna here?”

Lady Maude’s voice was sharp.

“Yes, my Lady, she returned some time ago and asked me to tell you, my Lady, that she has retired.”

“I told you she was safe!” the Prince exclaimed.

“How could she be so naughty as to behave in such an irresponsible manner?” Lady Maude asked crossly.