She checked it at once, but not before a certain
wildness in it had let loose upon him a rush of delight.
"Sir James explained?" he said, as he took her hand.
"Yes. I had no notion you would be here--this week-end."
"Nor had I--till last night. Then an appointment broken down--and--_me
voici_!"
"You stay over to-morrow?"
"Of course! But it is absurd that the Feltons should be five miles
away!"
She stammered:
"It is a charming ride."
"But too long!--One does not want to lose time."
She was now sitting; and he beside her. Mechanically she had taken up
some embroidery--to shield her eyes. He examined the reds and blues of
the pattern, the white fingers, the bending cheek. Suddenly, like Sir
James Chide or Hugh Roughsedge, he was struck with a sense of change.
The Dian look which matched her name, the proud gayety and frankness of
it, were somehow muffled and softened. And altogether her aspect was a
little frail and weary. The perception brought with it an appeal to the
protective strength of the man. What were her cares? Trifling, womanish
things! He would make her confess them; and then conjure them away!
"You have your cousin with you?"
"Yes.
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