alk. In this she had shown a tact, a kindness for
which he owed her gratitude. She must have heard the charges brought
against him by the Ferrier party during the election, yet, noble
creature that she was, she had not believed them. He could have thanked
her aloud, till he remembered that marked newspaper in his pocket.

Once a straggling rose branch caught in her dress. He stooped to free
it. Then for the first time he saw her shrink. The instinctive service
had made them man and woman again--not mind and mind; and he perceived,
with a miserable throb, that she could not be so unconscious of his
identity, his presence, their past, as she had seemed to be.

She had lost--he realized it--the bloom of first youth. How thin was the
hand which gathered up her dress!--the hand once covered with his
kisses. Yet she seemed to him lovelier than ever, and he divined her
more woman than ever, more instinct with feeling, life, and passion.

* * * * *

Sir James's messenger met them half-way. At the door the ambulance
waited.

Chide, bareheaded, and a group of doctors, gardeners, and police stood
beside it.

"I follow you," said Marsham to Sir James. "There is a great deal to
do."

Chide assented coldly. "I have written to Broadstone, and I have sent a
preliminary statement to the papers."

"I can take anything you want to town," said Marsham, hastily. "I must
go up this evening."

He handed Broadstone's telegram to Sir James.

Chide read it and returned it in silence. Then he entered the ambulance,
taking his seat beside the shrouded form within. Slowly it drove away,
mounted police accompanying it. It took a back way from Beechcote, thus
avoiding the crowd, which on the village side had gathered round
the gates.

Diana, on the steps, saw it go, following it with her eyes; standing
very white and still. Then Marsham lifted his hat to her, conscious
through every nerve of the curiosity among the little group of people
standing by. Suddenly, he thought, she too divined it. For she looked
round her, bowed to him slightly, and disappeared with Mrs. Colwood.

* * * * *

He spent two or three hours at Lytchett, making the first arrangements
for the funeral, with Sir James. It was to be at Tallyn, and the burial
in the churchyard of the old Tallyn church. Sir James gave a slow and
grudging assent to this; but in the end he did assent, after the
relations betw