On the ship going to England, Eliza met a young lieutenant. His name was Lenox and was barely 20 years old.
They were seen together on evenings when all the other ladies had left the promenade deck. It was not proper for them to stay any longer there.
Eliza stayed on the deck and was seen at the poop with Lenox. It was known that she visited his room and when people said something about it to her she merely said that he had a window and not she.
People were whispering. They were seen leaving the ship together. Eliza took expensive and fine rooms in London and Lenox visited her every day.
She did not attempt to contact her family.
Her sister in law found her and she did not judge. She was no prude.
But soon after that Eliza brings the winter in Edinburgh by relations.
There she gets a summon to defend her self in court of law in London. She was charged with adultery and James sues for divorce.
With no prospect of financial support from a husband Eliza decides to go on stage.
This 21 year old girl new nothing about classical dancing but took lessons.
The affair with Lenox brought her into contact with the better circles in London and it was not difficult for this strong willed, charming beautiful girl to meet the right men.
She also used contacts with journalists all her life. More later