Two of these studies (both on the left of each frame) relate to the figure at the top of the stairs, holding a flageolet and bearing the features of Burne-Jones’ beloved daughter Margaret. The other two studies were made for the figure of the girl seen in the doorway and for the drapery of girl at the bottom of the stairs holding a long silver horn-pipe. In the finished painting, the latter figure was painted from Mary Gladstone, daughter of the leader of the Liberal party and future Prime Minister.
1. Three studies on one sheet. The full length figure is for the second girl from the left at the top of the painting. The upper sleeve study is for the sixth figure from the left at the top. The lower study of an arm holding a cloth is also a variant study for the sixth figure. 2. A study of the figure from the waist down, of the girl holding a long post horn at the bottom of the stairs. 3. A study from the waist down of the second figure from the left at the top of the painting. 4. A study of the figure about to go though the door at the bottom of the stairs in profile.