Yet here they met, alone and untrammelled; as hostess and guest in the
first place; as kinswomen, yet comparative strangers to each other, and
conscious of a secret dislike, each for the other. On the one side, an
exultant and partly cruel consciousness of power; on the other, feelings
of repugnance and revolt, only held in check by the forces of a tender
and scrupulous nature.
Fanny cleared her throat.
"Well, of course, Mrs. Colwood's told me all you've been saying to her.
And I don't say I'm surprised."
Diana opened her large eyes.
"Surprised at what?"
"Surprised--well!--surprised you didn't see your way all at once, and
that kind of thing. I know I'd want to ask a lot of questions--shouldn't
I, just! Why, that's what I expected. But, you see, my time in England's
getting on. I've nothing to say to my people, and they bother my life
out every mail."
"What did you really come to England for?" said Diana, in a low voice.
Her attitude, curled up among the cushions of the sofa, gave her an
almost childish air. Fanny, on the other hand, resplendent in her
scarlet dress and high coiffure, might have been years older than her
cousin.
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