rong. It was rather, perhaps, a consciousness of having
managed her opportunities extremely badly. "I'm sorry you didn't like
me." she said, abruptly, "and I didn't mean to be nasty."

"Good-bye." Diana held out her hand; yet trembling involuntarily as she
did so. Fanny broke out:

"Diana, why do you look like that? It's all so long ago--you can't do
anything--you ought to try and forget it."

"No, I can't do anything," said Diana, withdrawing her right hand from
her cousin, and clasping both on her breast. "I can only--"

But the word died on her lips; she turned abruptly away, adding,
hurriedly, in another tone: "If you ever want anything, you know we're
always here--Mrs. Colwood and I. Please give us your address."

"Thanks." Fanny retreated; but could not forbear, as she reached the
door, from letting loose the thought which burned her inner mind. She
turned round deliberately. "Mr. Marsham'll cheer you up, Diana!--you'll
see. Of course, he'll behave like a gentleman. It won't make a bit of
difference to you. I'll just ask Mrs. Colwood to tell me when it's all
fixed up."

Diana said nothing. She was hanging over the fire, and her face was
hidden. Fanny waited a moment, then opened the door and went.

* * * * *

As soon as the carriage conveying Miss Merton to the station had safely
driven off, Mrs. Colwood, who, in no conventional sense, had been
speeding the parting guest, ran up-stairs again to Diana's room.

"She's gone?" said Diana, faintly. She was standing by the window. As
she spoke the carriage came into view at a bend of the drive and
disappeared into the trees beyond. Mrs. Colwood saw her shiver.

"Did she leave you her address?"

"Yes. Don't think any more about her. I have something to tell you."

Diana's painful start was the measure of her state. Muriel Colwood put
her arms tenderly round the slight form.

"Mr. Marsham will be here directly. He came last night--too late--I
would not let him see you. Ah!" She released Diana, and made a rapid
step to the window. "There he is!--coming by the fields."

Diana sat down, as though her limbs trembled under her.

"Did you send for him?"

"Yes. You forgive me?"

"Then--he hasn't got my letter."

She said it without looking up, as though to herself.

Mrs. Colwood knelt down beside her.

"It is right he should be here," she said, with energy, almost with
command; "it is the right, natural thing."

Diana stoo