CHAPTER XXIV A CROSS-THREAD

Nicolette arrived at The Friary within a few days of having invited herself there, accompanied by a trunkful of ravishing frocks and a long-suffering maid. She and Miguel, it appeared, had had dancing engagements almost every night during the London season, and she was looking a trifle tired and overwrought in consequence. But beautiful as ever. In fact, Shirley was inclined to think that the slightly fine-drawn look for which a heavy season’s work was responsible rather added to than detracted from her appearance,…