Her eyes flashed.
Mrs. Colwood again touched her hair with a hand that trembled.
"They are your only relations, aren't they?" she said, pleadingly.
"Yes," said Diana, still with the same roused look.
"Perhaps it would set them on their feet altogether."
The girl gave a puzzled laugh.
"Did she--Muriel, did she ask you to tell me?"
"I think she wanted me to break it to you," said Mrs. Colwood, after a
moment. "And I thought it--it might save you pain."
"Just like you!" Diana stooped to kiss her hand. "That's what your
headache meant! Well, but now--ought I--ought I--to do it?"
She clasped her hands round her knees and swayed backward and
forward--pondering--with a rather sombre brow. Mrs. Colwood's expression
was hidden in the darkness of the big chair.
"--Always supposing I can do it," resumed Diana. "And I certainly
couldn't do it at once; I haven't got it. I should have to sell
something, or borrow from the bank. No, I must think--I must think over
it," she added more resolutely, as though her way cleared.
"Of course," said Mrs. Colwood, faintly. Then she raised herself. "Let
me tell her so--let me save you the conversation.
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