en, without, as it seemed
to Sir James, a thought of herself. As for him, in the midst of his own
sharp grief, he could not help looking covertly from one to the other,
remembering that February scene in Lady Lucy's drawing-room. And
presently he was sure that Lady Lucy too remembered it. Diana timidly
begged that she would take some food--some milk or wine--before her
drive home. It was three hours--incredible as it seemed--since she had
called to them in the road. Lady Lucy, looking at her, and evidently but
half conscious--at first--of what was said, suddenly colored, and
refused--courteously but decidedly.

"Thank you. I want nothing. I shall soon be home. Oliver!"

"I go to Lytchett with Sir James, mother. Miss Mallory begs that you
will let Mrs. Colwood take you home."

"It is very kind, but I prefer to go alone. Is my carriage there?"

She spoke like the stately shadow of her normal self. The carriage was
waiting. Lady Lucy approached Sir James, who was standing apart, and
murmured something in his ear, to the effect that she would come to
Lytchett that evening, and would bring flowers. "Let mine be the first,"
she said, inaudibly to the rest. Sir James assented. Such observances,
he supposed, count for a great deal with women; especially with those
who are conscious of having trifled a little with the weightier matters
of the law.

Then Lady Lucy took her leave; Marsham saw her to her carriage. The two
left behind watched the receding figures--the mother, bent and
tottering, clinging to her son.

"She is terribly shaken," said Sir James; "but she will never give way."

Diana did not reply, and as he glanced at her, he saw that she was
struggling for self-control, her eyes on the ground.

"And that woman might have had her for daughter!" he said to himself,
divining in her the rebuff of some deep and tender instinct.

Marsham came back.

"The ambulance is just arriving."

Sir James nodded, and turned toward the house. Marsham detained him,
dropping his voice.

"Let me go with him, and you take my fly."

Sir James frowned.

"That is all settled," he said, peremptorily. Then he looked at Diana.
"I will see to everything in-doors. Will you take Miss Mallory into
the garden?"

Diana submitted; though, for the first time, her face reddened faintly.
She understood that Sir James wished her to be out of sight and hearing
while they moved the dead.

That was a strange walk together for these two! Sid