For her, Diana, that was well, for if he were
at Tallyn they could have met but seldom if at all.
She had made a round through a distant and sequestered lane in order to
prolong her walk. Presently she came to a deep cutting in the chalk,
where the road, embowered in wild roses and clematis, turned sharply at
the foot of a hill. As she approached the turn she heard sounds--a man's
voice. Her heart suddenly failed her. She looked to either side--no
gate, no escape. Nothing for it but to go forward. She turned
the corner.
Before her was a low pony carriage which Alicia Drake was driving. It
was drawn up by the side of the road, and Alicia sat in it, laughing and
talking, while Oliver Marsham gathered a bunch of wild roses from the
road-side. As Diana appeared, and before either of them saw her, Marsham
returned to the carriage, his hands full of flowers.
"Will that content you? I have torn myself to ribbons for you!"
"Oh, don't expect too much gratitude--_Oliver!_" The last word was low
and hurried. Alicia gathered up the reins hastily, and Marsham looked
round him--startled.
He saw a tall and slender girl coming toward them, accompanied by a
Scotch collie.
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