"
"Good-bye." Diana held out her hand; yet trembling involuntarily as she
did so. Fanny broke out:
"Diana, why do you look like that? It's all so long ago--you can't do
anything--you ought to try and forget it."
"No, I can't do anything," said Diana, withdrawing her right hand from
her cousin, and clasping both on her breast. "I can only--"
But the word died on her lips; she turned abruptly away, adding,
hurriedly, in another tone: "If you ever want anything, you know we're
always here--Mrs. Colwood and I. Please give us your address."
"Thanks." Fanny retreated; but could not forbear, as she reached the
door, from letting loose the thought which burned her inner mind. She
turned round deliberately. "Mr. Marsham'll cheer you up, Diana!--you'll
see. Of course, he'll behave like a gentleman. It won't make a bit of
difference to you. I'll just ask Mrs. Colwood to tell me when it's all
fixed up."
Diana said nothing. She was hanging over the fire, and her face was
hidden. Fanny waited a moment, then opened the door and went.
* * * * *
As soon as the carriage conveying Miss Merton to the station had safely
driven off, Mrs.
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