In her white _ingenue's_ dress
she was an embodiment of youth, simplicity, and joy, such as perhaps our
grandmothers knew more commonly than we, in our more hurried and complex
day. And at the same time there floated round her something more than
youth--something more thrilling and challenging than mere girlish
delight--an effluence, a passion, a "swell of soul," which made this
dawn of her life more bewitching even for its promise than for its
performance.
For Marsham, too, the hours flew. He was carried away, enchanted; he had
eyes for no one, time for no one but Diana; and before the end of the
evening the gossip among the Tallyn guests ran fast and free. When at
last the dance broke up, many a curious eye watched the parting between
Marsham and Diana; and in their bedroom on the top floor Lady Lucy's two
nieces sat up till the small hours discussing, first, the situation--was
Oliver really caught at last?--and then, Alicia's refusal to discuss it.
She had said bluntly that she was dog-tired--and shut her door
upon them.
* * * * *
On a hint from his mother, Marsham went to say good-night to her in her
room.
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