If the
case were indeed urgent, said Mr. Riley, if the money must be found, she
could, of course, borrow on her securities, and the firm would arrange
it for her. But Mr. Riley, excusing himself as her father's old friend,
wrote with his own hand to beg her to consider the matter further. Her
expenses had lately been many, and some of her property might possibly
decline in value during the next few years. A prudent management of her
affairs was really essential. Could not the money be gradually saved out
of income?
Diana colored uncomfortably as she thought of the letter. What did the
dear old man suppose she wanted the money for? It hurt her pride that
she must appear in this spendthrift light to eyes so honest and
scrupulous.
But what could she do? Fanny poured out ugly reports of her mother's
financial necessities to Muriel Colwood; Mrs. Colwood repeated them to
Diana. And the Mertons were Diana's only kinsfolk. The claim of blood
pressed her hard.
Meanwhile, with a shrinking distaste, she had tried to avoid the
personal discussion of the matter with Fanny. The task of curbing the
girl's impatience, day after day, had fallen to Mrs.
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