Graham Greene was a long-standing friend of Julia Stonor's parents, Jeanne and Sherman, and often visited them at their ancient house, Stonor Park. The Stonors were one of the great Catholic families and had been since the Reformation, attracting many important catholics to their circle such as Archbishop David Matthew who became their resident priest. Greene was fascinated by the family and their Catholic connections. It is said he would often stay up all night in the vast library waiting in vain for the Stonor ghosts to appear. On one of his many visits he brought his mistress Katharine Walston, to the intense interest of the family.