They're only
'alves--and 'alves ain't no good in law; so inter Chancery those 'ouses
'll go, come a twelvemonth--yo may take it at that!" Diana laughed--a
young spontaneous laugh--the first since she had come home. She kept
Betty gossiping for half an hour, and as the stream of the village life
poured about her, in Betty's racy speech, it was as though some
primitive virtue entered into her and cheered her--some bracing voice
from the Earth-spirit--whose purpose is not missed
"If birth proceeds--if things subsist."
She rose at last, held Betty's hand tenderly, and went her way,
conscious of a return of natural pleasure, such as Italy had never
brought her, her heart opening afresh to England and the English life.
Perhaps she would find at home a letter from Mr. Ferrier--her dear,
famous friend, who never forgot her, ignorant as she was of the great
affairs in which he was plunged. But she meant to be ignorant no longer.
No more brooding and dreaming! It was pleasant to remember that Sir
James Chide had taken a furnished house--Lytchett Manor--only a few
miles from Beechcote, and that Mr. Ferrier was to be his guest there as
soon as politics allowed.
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