Is it likely, the wise old doctor asks himself upon hearing the news, that a man of such changed circumstances would ever give a thought to his boyish love affair with Betty Tosswill -- however violent, piteous and painful as the affair was? Surely not . . . but has Betty forgotten?

He will learn soon enough -- for George will be staying at the house of Betty's sister Janet . . . where old doubts and grievances seem to live on despite all the years gone by.

Author of The Chink in the Armor, Marie Lowndes (1868-1947) was sister to famous wit Hilaire Belloc, and wrote both historical novels and murder mysteries.