Mrs.Hannaford's only bitterness was that in law she remained wedded.

It soothed her but moderately to reflect that she was a martyr to national morality.
She was pressed to come and stay for a while in Bryanston Square, but Olga would not accept that invitation.

Her mother's affairs being satisfactorily settled, the girl returned to her fixed purpose; she would hear of no further postponement of her marriage.

Thereupon Mrs.
Hannaford took a step she feared to be useless, but which was the only hope remaining to her.

She wrote to Kite; she explained to him her circumstances; she asked him whether, out of justice to Olga, who might repent a hasty union, he would join her (Mrs.Hannaford) in a decision to put off the marriage for one year.