"Those
little things will happen, won't they? It was just at Christmas, I
understand, that your cousin paid her first visit to Tallyn. A man who
was shooting there told me all about it."
"And Miss Drake was there too?"
Mr. Birch nodded.
"And Diana cut her out?" said Fanny, bending toward him eagerly.
Mr. Birch smiled again. Voices were heard in the hall, but before the
new guests entered, the young man put up a finger to his lips:
"Don't you quote me, please, Miss Merton. But, I can tell you, your
cousin's very high up in the running just now. And Oliver Marsham will
have twenty thousand a year some day if he has a penny. Miss Mallory
hasn't told you anything--hasn't she? Ha--ha! Still waters, you
know--still waters!"
* * * * *
A few minutes later Sir James Chide was seated between Diana and Fanny
Merton, Mr. Birch having obligingly vacated his seat and passed to the
other side of the table, where his attempts at conversation were coldly
received by Miss Drake. That young lady dazzled the eyes of Fanny, who
sat opposite to her. The closely fitting habit and black riding-hat gave
to her fine figure and silky wealth of hair the maximum of effect.
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