“So you ought to be,” Lady Maude snapped, “and you can show that you are sorry by marrying the only rich man who is likely to offer for you! What Englishman would take a girl these days who has no dowry, no particular beaux and a mother who lives by gambling.”

She saw Alyna’s face and said sharply,

“Does that shock you? How else do you think your school fees are paid? How else do you think we can afford a house in London? How else could I live?”

She paused and then said harshly,

“What money I have, Alyna, comes from gambling and from the men who are kind enough to pay for what amusement I can give them.”

Alyna gave a little cry and put her hands up to her face, as Lady Maude walked across the room and back again.

“It’s time you stopped being the sheltered little virgin!” she raged. “Face up to life as it is! As far as you are concerned, my girl, it’s a choice between marrying Prince Ahmadi or finding some rich protector, because I assure you nobody else in the Beau Monde will look at you!”

“I don’t want to be married, Mama. I don’t want to have anything to do – with men,” Alyna cried. “Let me go and live in the country with Martha or Miss Riggs. It will not cost very much, a few pounds a month. I shall go away and – you can forget all about me.”

“And can I forget the Prince’s generous offer?” Lady Maude cried. “Do you know what he is prepared to give me?”

Alyna did not answer and she went on,

“Ten thousand pounds! That is what he is making over to me the day you marry him. Ten thousand pounds, Alyna! It will pay all my debts and set me up comfortably for the next year or so.”

“I am surprised he thinks I am so valuable,” Alyna countered with a touch of irony in her voice.

“He is infatuated by you,” Lady Maude replied, “God knows why! Perhaps the mere fact that you have tried to avoid him has made him all the keener.”

She paused and said more quietly,

“I should think it clever of you if I thought you had done it purposely. But you can go too far and I thought tonight that was exactly what you had done.”

“You mean he might not wish to marry me?” Alyna asked with a sudden gleam in her eyes.

“No, he still wants to marry you, I am thankful to say,” Lady Maude answered. “But you cannot go on playing fast and loose with him for ever. There are hundreds of other girls in London who would jump at the chance he is offering you.”