AnnieMiller lived in the crowded basement of a London pub. She was working as abarmaid when William Holman Hunt noticed her prettiness and began fantasisingabout turning her into the kind of lady that would justify his fascination withher. He cleaned her up, had her educated, taught her how to dress, talk andbehave in society, all the time struggling against the passion she had fired inhim. He agonised over their future, contemplating and proposing marriage onseveral occasions but never quite making it to the altar. She was a bad girl.She liked to enjoy herself with all of his artist friends and soon grew tired ofhis preaching and vacillating. She was famous now, a lady who would not be takenfor granted. He gave her money as recompense for her trouble and to apprenticeher to a milliner. Annie took the hush money and married a baronet.
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