But his
own heart was proof. For three months he had been engaged, _sub rosa_,
to a penniless cousin. No one knew, least of all Lady Niton, who, in
spite of her championship of Diana, would probably be furious when she
did know. He found himself pining to tell Diana; he would tell her as
soon as ever he got an opportunity. Odd!--that the effect of having gone
through a lot yourself should be that other people were strongly drawn
to unload their troubles upon you. Bobbie felt himself a selfish beast;
but all the same his "Ettie" and his debts; the pros and cons of the
various schemes for his future, in which he had hitherto allowed Lady
Niton to play so queer and tyrannical a part--all these burned on his
tongue till he could confide them to Diana.
Meanwhile the talk strayed to Ferrier and politics--dangerous ground!
Yet some secret impulse in Diana drew her toward it, and Bobbie's
curiosity played up. Diana spoke with concern of the great man's pallor
and fatigue. "Not to be wondered at," said Forbes, "considering the
tight place he was in, or would soon be in." Diana asked for
explanations, acting a part a little; for since her acquaintance with
Oliver Marsham she had become a diligent reader of newspapers.
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