ummoned
finally all his nerve and all his knowledge. The air of the
carpet-knight with which he had opened battle disappeared; he fought
seriously and for victory. And suddenly Diana laughed--a little
hysterically--and gave in. He had carried her into regions of history
and politics where she could not follow. She dropped her head in her
hands a moment--then fell back in her chair--silenced--her beautiful
passionate eyes fixed on Marsham, as his were on her.

"Brava! Brava!" cried Mr. Ferrier, clapping his hands. The room joined
in laughter and applause.

* * * * *

A few minutes later the ladies streamed out into the hall on their way
to bed. Marsham came to light a candle for Diana.

"Do you forgive me?" he said, as he gave it to her.

The tone was gay and apologetic.

She laughed unsteadily, without reply.

"When will you take your revenge?"

She shook her head, touched his hand for "good-night," and went
up-stairs.

As Diana reached her room she drew Mrs. Colwood in with her--but not, it
seemed, for purposes of conversation. She stood absently by the fire
taking off her bracelets and necklace. Mrs. Colwood made a few remarks
about the evening and the guests, with little response, and presently
wondered why she was detained. At last Diana put up her hands, and
smoothed back the hair from her temples with a long sigh. Then she laid
a sudden grasp upon Mrs. Colwood, and looked earnestly and imploringly
into her face.

"Will you--please--call me Diana? And--and--will you kiss me?"

She humbly stooped her head. Mrs. Colwood, much touched, threw her arms
around her, and kissed her heartily. Then a few warm words fell from
her--as to the scene of the evening. Diana withdrew herself at once,
shivering a little.

"Oh, I want papa!" she said--"I want him so much!"

And she hid her eyes against the mantel-piece.

Mrs. Colwood soothed her affectionately, perhaps expecting some outburst
of confidence, which, however, did not come. Diana said a quiet
"good-night," and they parted.

But it was long before Mrs. Colwood could sleep. Was the emotion she had
just witnessed--flinging itself geyserlike into sight, only to sink back
as swiftly out of ken--was it an effect of the past or an omen of the
future? The longing expressed in the girl's heart and voice, after the
brave show she had made--had it overpowered her just because she felt
herself alone, without natural protectors, on th