Colwood, with whom she had exchanged a
frosty greeting. Diana made a little imploring sign, and
Muriel--unwillingly--moved away toward the house.
"Well, I don't suppose you want to have anything to do with me," said
Fanny, after a moment, in a sulky voice. "But, after all, you're
mother's niece. I'm in a pretty tight fix, and it mightn't be very
pleasant for you if things came to the worst."
She had thrown off her hat, and was patting and pulling the numerous
puffs and bandeaux, in which her hair was arranged, with a nervous hand.
Diana was aghast at her appearance. The dirty finery of her dress had
sunk many degrees in the scale of decency and refinement since
February. Her staring brunette color had grown patchy and unhealthy, her
eyes had a furtive audacity, her lips a coarseness, which might have
been always there; but in the winter, youth and high spirits had to some
extent disguised them.
"Aren't you soon going home?" asked Diana, looking at her with a
troubled brow.
"No, I'm--I'm engaged. I thought you might have known that!" The girl
turned fiercely upon her.
"No--I hadn't heard--"
"Well, I don't know where you live all your time!" said Fanny,
impatiently.
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