Marina tried to compose herself, and just in time, as there came a soft knock on the door and Frome walked in.
“Excuse me, Miss Marina, but there is a gentleman in the library waiting to see you. I told him that you were about to depart for France, but he was most insistent.”
Frome proffered a silver salver, upon which sat a simple calling card. Marina took it, read it, and then cried aloud,
“It is Sir Peter!”
“What, here, miss?”
“There can be no mistake as this is his card – look. What shall I do, Ellen?”
“You must go downstairs and greet him, miss. But first, go and wash your face and brush your hair. We do not want you looking like something the cat has brought in, now do we?”
Excitedly, Marina ran and splashed some cold water on her red face and eyes. As she dried herself on a t
