midnight
MISS ALLONBY , daughter to Lord Stephen by a former marriage , of a considerable fortune in her own hands . FOOTMEN to Lady Allonby ; and in the Proem FRANCIS ORTS , commonly know as FRANCIS VANBINGHAM , a dissolute play-actor . A drawing-room In Lady Allonby 's villa at Tunbridge Wells . LOVE AT MARTINMAS _ PROEM : -- To be Filed for Reference Hereafter _ Lady Allonby followed in all respects the Vicar 's instructions ; and midnight found her upon the pier of Bishops Onslow , Colonel Denstroude 's big and dilapidated country-residence . Frank Orts had assisted her from the rowboat without speaking ; indeed , he had uttered scarcely a word , save to issue some necessary direction , since the woman first came to him at the Vicarage with her news of the night 's events . Now he composedly stepped back into the boat . `` You 've only to go forward , '' said Frank Orts .