A professional matchmaker in early-20th-century London falls for one of her clients.

The acceptance of dating systems, however, has created something of a resurgence in the role of the traditional professional matchmaker.

A responsible authority sets up or encourages the marriage; they may, indeed, engage a professional matchmaker to find a suitable spouse for an unmarried person.

But in her display ads she identifies herself as a "Ph.D. professional matchmaker."

She has been a crime reporter, a professional matchmaker and most recently a documentary filmmaker.

A professional matchmaker couldn't have come up with a better choice.

None of the professional matchmakers keep track of their divorce rates (or would admit it if they do).

In many cultural traditions, a date may be arranged by a third party, who may be a family member, acquaintance, or professional matchmaker.

"Perhaps you should let us try again," Hobart said with the ever-hopeful tone of the dedicated professional matchmaker.

As challenges went, this one was probably among the more difficult for a professional matchmaker.