Chide's friendly eye would be on
him and his Ettie henceforward.
* * * * *
Five or ten minutes afterward, a brougham drove up to the door of
Lytchett, and a small lady emerged. She had rung the bell, and was
waiting on the steps, when a pony-carriage also turned into the Lytchett
avenue and drew near rapidly.
A girl in a shady hat was driving it.
"The very creature!" cried Lady Niton, under her breath, smartly tapping
her tiny boot with the black cane she carried, and referring apparently
to some train of meditation in which she had been just engaged. She
waved to her own coachman to be off, and stood awaiting Diana.
[Illustration: "SIR JAMES MADE HIMSELF DELIGHTFUL TO THEM"]
"How do you do, Miss Mallory? Are you invited? I'm not."
Diana descended, and they shook hands. They had not met since the
evening at Tallyn when Diana, in her fresh beauty, had been the gleaming
princess, and Lady Niton the friendly godmother, of so promising a fairy
tale. The old woman looked at her curiously, as they stood in the
drawing-room together, while the footman went off to find Sir James.
Frail--dark lines under the eyes--a look as of long endurance--a smile
that was a mere shield and concealment for the heart beneath--alack!
And there was no comfort to be got out of calling down fire from heaven
on the author of this change, since it had fallen so abundantly already!
"Sit down; you look tired," said the old lady, in her piping, peremptory
voice.
Pages:
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640