The well-known Leader of the
Opposition was a stout man of middle height, with a round head and face,
at first sight wholly undistinguished, an ample figure, and smooth,
straight hair. But there was so much honesty and acuteness in the eyes,
so much humor in the mouth, and so much kindness in the general aspect,
that Diana felt herself at once attracted; and when the master of the
house was summoned by his head gamekeeper to give directions for the
shooting-party of the following day, and Mrs. Fotheringham had gone off
to attend what seemed to be a vast correspondence, the politician and
the young girl fell into a conversation which soon became agreeable and
even absorbing to both. Mrs. Colwood, sitting on the other side of the
hall, timidly discussing fancy work with the Miss Varleys, Lady Lucy's
young nieces, saw that Diana was making a conquest; and it seemed to
her, moreover, that Mr. Ferrier's scrutiny of his companion was somewhat
more attentive and more close than was quite explained by the mere
casual encounter of a man of middle-age with a young and charming girl.
Was he--like herself--aware that matters of moment might be here at
their beginning?
Meanwhile, if Mr.
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