"
Fanny raised her head. In Diana's face there was something which, for
the first time, roused in the other a nascent sense of shame. The color
came rushing into her cheeks; her eyes wavered painfully.
"You must come and stay here," said Diana, almost in a whisper. "And
where is Mr. Birch? I must see him."
She rose as she spoke; her voice had a decision, a sternness, that Fanny
for once did not resent. But she shook her head despairingly.
"I can't get at him. He sends my letters back. He'll not marry me unless
he's paid to."
"When did you see him last?"
Gradually the whole story emerged. The man had behaved as the coarse and
natural man face to face with temptation and opportunity is likely to
behave. The girl had been the victim first and foremost of her own
incredible folly. And Diana could not escape the idea that on Birch's
side there had not been wanting from the first an element of sinister
calculation. If her relations objected to the situation, it could, of
course, be made worth his while to change it. All his recent sayings and
doings, as Fanny reported them, clearly bore this interpretation.
As Diana sat, dismally pondering, an idea flashed upon her.
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