illion of money--for the sake
of the _beaux yeux_ of Diana Mallory! Oliver, who had never faced any
hardship or gone without any luxury in his life!

Alicia said nothing; but the alertness of her brilliant eyes showed the
activity of the brain behind them. While Mrs. Fotheringham went off to
committees, Miss Drake spent the rest of the day in ministering to Lady
Lucy, who found her company, her gossip about Beechcote, her sympathetic
yet restrained attitude toward the whole matter, quite invaluable. But,
in spite of these aids, the hours of waiting and suspense passed
heavily, and Alicia said to herself that Cousin Lucy was beginning to
look frail.

CHAPTER XIII

Owing to the scantiness of Sunday trains, Marsham did not arrive at
Beechcote village till between nine and ten at night. He left his bag at
the village inn, tried to ignore the scarcely concealed astonishment
with which the well-known master--or reputed master--of Tallyn was
received within its extremely modest walls, and walked up to the
manor-house. There he had a short conversation with Mrs. Colwood, who
did not propose to tell Diana of his arrival till the morning.

"She does not know that I wrote to you," said the little lady, in her
pale distress. "She wrote to you herself this evening. I hope I have not
done wrong."

Marsham reassured her, and they had a melancholy consultation. Diana, it
seemed, had insisted on getting up that day as usual. She had tottered
across to her sitting-room and had spent the day there alone, writing a
few letters, or sitting motionless in her chair for hours together. She
had scarcely eaten, and Mrs. Colwood was sure she had not slept at all
since the shock. It was to be hoped that out of sheer fatigue she might
sleep, on this, the second night. But it was essential there should be
no fresh excitement, such as the knowledge of Marsham's arrival would
certainly arouse.

Mrs. Colwood could hardly bring herself to speak of Fanny Merton. She
was, of course, still in the house--sulking--and inclined to blame
everybody, her dead uncle in particular, rather than herself. But,
mercifully, she was departing early on the Monday morning--to some
friends in London.

"If you come after breakfast you will find Miss Mallory alone. I will
tell her first thing that you are here."

Marsham assented, and got up to take his leave. Involuntarily he looked
round the drawing-room where he had first seen Diana the day before.
Then