nch of golden mimosa； hanging just above her head； made an effective frame for a very charming picture。 A golden…haired； blue…eyed lady in a very being negligee。 That the golden hair owed something to art； as did the pink…and…white plexion； was undeniable； but the blue of the eyes was Nature's gift； and at forty…four Lady Tamplin could still rank as a beauty。
Charming as she looked； Lady Tamplin was； for once； not thinking of herself。 That is to say； she was not thinking of her appearance。 She was intent on graver matters。 Lady Tamplin was a well…known figure on the Riviera； and her parties at the Villa Marguerite were justly celebrated。 She was a woman of considerable experience； and had had four husbands。 The first had been merely an indiscretion； and so was seldom referred to by the lady。 He had had the good sense to die with mendable promptitude； and his widow thereupon espoused a rich manufacturer of buttons。 He too had departed for another sphere after three years of married life … it was said after a congenial evening with some good panions。 After him came Viscount Tamplin； who had placed Rosalie securely on those heights where she wished to tread。 She had retained her title when she married for a fourth time。 This fourth venture had been undertaken for pure pleasure。 Mr Charles Evans； an extremely good…looking young man of twenty…seven； with delightful manners； a keen love of sport； and an appreciation of this world's goods； had no money of his own whatsoever。