SHE would never have believed him to be such a slowtop

When her brother informed her that to clear off his debts he had agreed to find her a husband, Miranda Branscombe was horrified, chiefly because she could not trust her rackety young brother's notion of a suitable suitor.

To ensure the best results, Peter Kerswell, their childhood friend and companion, was persuaded to add his greater connexions and maturity to the search. Miranda agreed to co-operate with fewer misgivings than before.

Soon she was forced to choose between a wicked London lord and a rich hypochondriac. There appeared to be no recourse until another eligible parti stepped forward, who but for his blockheaded blunder, Miranda would have accepted in the blink of an eye.