"Let us decide at once on
what is to be done. You said nothing to Miss Mallory?"
"Nothing. But she is already in some trouble and misgiving about the
past. She is in the mood to inquire; she has been, I think, for some
time. And, naturally, she wishes to hide nothing from me."
"She will write to Riley & Bonner," said Sir James, quietly. "She will
probably write to-night. They may take steps to acquaint her with her
history--or they may not. It depends. Meanwhile, who else is likely to
know anything about the engagement?"
"Diana was to tell Mrs. Colwood--her companion; no one else."
"Nice little woman!--all right there! But"--Sir James gave a slight
start--"what about the cousin?"
"Miss Merton? Oh no! There is clearly no sympathy between her and Diana.
How could there be?"
"Yes--but my dear fellow!--that girl knows--must know--everything there
is to know! And she dislikes Diana; she is jealous of her; that I saw
quite plainly this afternoon. And, moreover, she is probably quite well
informed about you and your intentions. She gossiped half through lunch
with that ill-bred fellow Birch. I heard your name once or twice.
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