But this perception only led to fresh despondency. Whenever Fanny
softened, it showed itself in a claim to intimacy, as sudden and as
violent as her ill-temper. She must be Diana's first and dearest--be
admitted to all Diana's secrets and friendships. Then on Diana's side,
inevitable withdrawal, shrinking, self-defence--and on Fanny's a hotter
and more acrid jealousy.
Meanwhile, as Mrs. Colwood knew, Diana had been engaged in
correspondence with her solicitors, who had been giving her some prudent
and rather stringent advice on the subject of income and expenditure.
This morning, so Mrs. Colwood believed, a letter had arrived.
Presently she stole out of her room to the head of the stairs. There she
remained, pale and irresolute, for a little while, listening to the
sounds in the house. But the striking of the hall clock, the sighing of
a stormy wind round the house, and, occasionally, a sound of talking in
the drawing-room, was all she heard.
* * * * *
Diana had been busy in the hanging of some last pictures in the
drawing-room--photographs from Italian pictures and monuments. They had
belonged to her father, and had been the dear companions of her
childhood.
Pages:
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224